A pub has closed its doors for the last time, two years after the landlord first revealed plans to sell the site.

The Prince of Wales in Strood High Street held its final rock and roll night after going on the market for £650,000 in late 2021 when publicans Peter and Kathleen Gillard decided to call time after more than three decades at the venue.

The pub is well-known as a live music venue hosting rock 'n' roll bands and 50s music.

The pair had regular visitors to their rock 'n' roll nights, with some who had been attending from the very start.

Peter said people had come from as far away as Hastings to attend the venue's live music nights on Fridays and Saturdays.

It was taken off the market around April last year when it was on the books for £575,000, but has now been sold, with the sale being finalised last week.

Peter first bought the pub for £200,000 when he took redundancy from his job as an artist for the Daily Mirror.

The pair, now in their 80s, moved from London and had never been to Medway before, but bought the pub because Kathleen is Irish, and it was an Irish pub.

On his retirement, avid Only Fools and Horses fan Peter said: "I feel brilliant. We've been there 35 years so we're happy to retire now.

"We're going to sit on the beach with Del Boy sipping piña coladas."

The grandfather says he does not know what the new buyer plans to do with the building.

Five-piece band Rockhouse played the venue out on its final night, saying in a Facebook post: "We were very sad but very proud to be playing at the last night of the Prince of Wales, Strood.

"There was a great turn out of Pete and Kath's friends that had come to give them a fantastic rocking send off for their retirement. So many that they were dancing on the pavement and in the road outside.

"On behalf of all the bands and the crowd that have supported Pete and Kathy over the years, we would like wish them them very long and happy retirement. We hope to see them in the future.

"At the end of the evening they told us they loved the bands on the Rock 'n' Roll nights and would be going out to rocking events in the future.

"They also said that they had booked us for the last night because we were their favourite band. We were extra proud and chuffed to bits."

Loyal customer Kim Tindal said: "This was a sad day for all that have used this pub and made some long-lasting friends. It was a very sad but very rocking evening.

"It was a place where I made friends for life, I’m still friends with Linda Powell, and we used to dance the night away!

"It was something when you went past and there were motorbikes parked outside, and a big crowd of people outside, lovely memories. So very sad that it’s closed now."