A popular pub has been sold at auction raising questions over its future.

The Dog and Gun, sitting on the corner of Boxley Road and John Street, Maidstone, went under the hammer with a guide price of £200,000 but was snapped for almost double that amount - £385,000.

The hostelry, named as one of The County Town's three best pubs by consumer guide The Best Rated and awarded four stars by reviewers on Google, was sold by Shepherd Neame.

“We can confirm that after careful consideration, the brewery decided to sell The Dog and Gun in Maidstone," said a spokesman. "It was not a decision taken lightly, but the pub does not fit with our current business strategy."

While the building remains classified as a pub for planning purposes, the sale opens up the possibility it could be converted into housing or a different type of business.

Auctioneer Kevin Gilbert said: “In the upper parts it has four bedrooms and could be run as a pub or the new owner might have other plans. To the rear there is a predominantly paved garden with double gates off John Street.

“Any changes must require the necessary consents to be obtainable.”

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