Since it ran out of beer on its opening night a year ago, the Flippin’ Frog micropub in Rochester High Street has gone from strength to strength.

Owners Cyril Cypres-Paries and Melanie Royer are planning a first anniversary party this weekend, and the decision to hold it at the Good Intent pub in John Street is typical of the couple’s ambition to give back to the surrounding community.

A no frills approach, offering simple, quality food and drink with no loud music has proved such a hit with customers, that even former teacher Mr Cypres-Paries, 45, said he’d been surprised at how the pub had taken off in just one year.

“It’s gone with bang,” he said. “It’s flown by. It’s been absolutely manic and it’s getting more and more successful. We thought at some point it would slow down, perhaps in October or November, but no.

“It’s quite surprising. We’re happy but surprised.

Although partner Melanie is a professional chef, Mr Cypres-Paries came with no experience to the venture.

“It’s completely new for me,” he said. “It’s much more enjoyable. It’s definitely hard work – we’re putting in the hours, but it’s very very rewarding. We’re still building up – we’re trying to be more active in the community.

"We started offering the space for exhibitions by local artists and we thought ‘why not do it a bit more often?’

“Now we’re booked up with exhibitions until January 2018.”

And despite the fact there’s no amplified music at the micropub, it’s still proved a hit with musicians and music fans, offering unplugged acoustic gigs every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Mr Cypres-Paries said he was pleased to discover Medway was “loaded with talent” and the micropub is booked up with gigs until March.

The first anniversary celebrations begin tonight, and combine with the Good Intent’s Wassail Weekend celebrations.

Along with a Solstice beer festival in the back garden, there will be live music from 1pm, with performances by Kingsize Slim and Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs, as well as dancing from Steampunk Morris and a photography exhibition by Neil Thorne, documenting acts that have appeared at the Frog over the past year.

A large number of those acts will come together the following day at the Good Intent for a giant jam session from 6pm.

After that, Cyril and Melanie will get back to the task of steering the Flippin’ Frog into next year and beyond.