Pub licensees who oversaw the reversal in fortunes of a town’s backstreet boozer have now been tasked with working their magic on another hostelry.

The landlords of the Rising Sun off Rochester High Street now have the best of both worlds after taking over The Angel in Lower Rainham Road, Rainham.

Licensees Billy Dutton and Kieran-miguel D’la look forward to dividing their time between the two very different hostelries at different ends of the Towns.

The business partners have turned around The Rising Sun in King Street since taking the helm two years ago, transforming it into a popular haunt with music fans and quiz enthusiasts.

Admiral Taverns, which owns both businesses, has now invited the duo to work their magic on The Angel, near Riverside Country Park.

Kieran said: “I don’t know Rainham that well and it’s all a bit new to me. But I already love it.

“We’ve had some good feedback from locals including dog walkers.”

The pub had just undergone a £185,000 facelift by its previous licensee Vesta Pubs and the next step will be to overhaul the large garden.

Kieran said: “It’s huge with a beautiful 200-year-old eucalyptus tree in the middle.”

They plan alfresco eating in cabin-like booths in the colder months and a barbecue.

Another feature for diners is a visiting chef who will serve homemade pizza from the back of their van every Saturday night.

There will also be a greater selection of wine - seven white and five red - plus a menu offering sharing plates and nibbles.

It’s been all change at the pub with it being forced to close and with it changing hands three times in two years.

But Billy and Kieran have signed a year-long contract with an option to extend their tenure.

Vesta Pubs announced it was leaving at the beginning of this month after only seven months, saying it was “not an easy decision but unfortunately, it is a very necessary one”.

Kieran said: “There are enough pubs in Rainham itself, but this is something different.

“It will be more chilled and wine bar-ish with nice gentle music.

“We’ve had all ages in here so far, from 30 to 90, and people coming in to see what’s going on.”

They are both looking to blend in with the community and look forward to walking their German Shepherd dog, Elsa.

“She will enjoy roaming the fields around us and we will be offering dog treats to our customers,” he added.

Paul Gornall, business development manager at Admiral Taverns, said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Bill and Kieran to The Angel.

“Their passion for the pub and the community is tangible and I have no doubt that they will be a fantastic asset to the site and local area.

“It’s been a real pleasure supporting them in bringing their vision to life and I am excited to see all that’s to come for the pub.

“On behalf of myself and the whole team at Admiral Taverns, I’d like to wish our licensees the best of luck for the future and look forward to seeing them cement the pub at the heart of the community.”