A pub has closed after a Covid outbreak was confirmed among its regulars.

Several cases have been reported from customers at the Gardeners Arms in Higham.

The pub in Forge Lane will now be closed for a "full deep clean" after Shepherd Neame and pub management decided to shut in line with Covid-secure guidelines.

Shepherd Neame spokesman Joanna Richardson said: "We have taken the decision to close The Gardeners Arms, Higham, after a number of confirmed Covid cases from customers who had recently visited the pub.

"We are following the Covid-secure guidance provided by Shepherd Neame, such as a full deep clean of the pub, and look forward to reopening in due course once the required isolation period has ended."

The popular establishment in the village between Medway and Gravesend has been screening England games throughout the Euros and it was orginally thought the outbreak was due to fans gathering to one of the games at the pub.

But Public Health England has now confirmed this was not the case.

The exact number of cases has not been confirmed.

A post on the Gardeners Arms Facebook page yesterday said there had been "a number of confirmed cases linked" to the pub and anyone with symptoms told to follow government guidelines.

Other businesses in the village advised followers who were in the pub at the time to stay at home and isolate until receiving their test results.

The Higham Village Club Committee said in a statement: "Please if you are a member of the club and used the Gardeners on June 22 stay away from the club until this current outbreak is controlled and follow NHS and government advice.

"To our members not affected please follow the rules and wear your mask when moving around the club and extra use of the sanitisers."

A similar post from managers at the Sir John Falstaff in Gravesend Road urged people to "do the right thing and stay away and isolate until the tests have been confirmed" if they had attended the Gardeners Arms from 4pm on Tuesday.

The newly refurbished pub is a popular venue for villagers and has a traditional snug and wood-burning fire as well as offering handmade pizzas, locally-sourced meats and cheeses, real ales and a selection of wines.

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