From trendy London nightclub to historic village pub – Rob Ryan’s old and new jobs couldn’t be much further apart.

Not long ago he was working at a well-known acid and house music venue in Brixton but has now taken over The Three Crutches hostelry at Higham, near Gravesend, a move he describes as the “polar opposite”.

And the 40-year-old landlord is loving his new life embracing the pub’s rich history and its connections with Charles Dickens who popped in for his favourite tipple when he lived at nearby Gad’s Hill Place.

Rob believes that with so many licensed premises – particularly in Strood – closing, the area needs a good old-fashioned boozer to cater for locals, families, couples, children and dogs.

He moved to Strood because it was an easy commute to London where he worked at Club 414, a haunt popular with big name DJs across the world.

Since he was a child growing up in Faversham, he’s always had a soft spot for this part of Kent.

He said: ”I remember coming to Rochester on the train with my gran when I was about five and visiting the museums, festivals and having picnics in the Castle Gardens.”

He added the pub had a chequered past with some previous owners trying different approaches.

He said: “People have tried turning it into a gastro pub and wine bar. But we have stripped it back to its rustic past.

“It’s what the local community needs and deserves.”

Four chefs serve up a wide range of food, from traditional fish and chips and Sunday roasts to Asian-style side plates and an extensive children’s menu.

The brewery, Punch Taverns, has also invested in the large beer garden with extra seating and a bigger play area for younger visitors.

Rob said: “I wouldn’t say I’m and avid gardener, but watering my beautiful hanging baskets has become a labour of love.”

Since he took the helm seven weeks ago, word-of-mouth has led to more people coming in by the week and some from as far away as Dartford.

He said: “When I told my family who live in Whitstable what I was doing they thought I was mad. They said ‘don’t you know pubs are closing everywhere’.

“But I just love the area for its history and creativity.”

Records show the pub in Old Watling Street dates back to as early as 1850.

Known locally as “The Crootches”, its often mispronounced name – it’s pronounced with an “ooo” as in “crootches” and not “utch” as in “crutches” – dates back to the 13th century.

It’s believed a Templar Knight was shot through the heart at the location where three roads met – the three crosses and crooches is thought to be an old country term for crosses.

Dickens was a customer at the pub as well as the former Crispin and Crispianus in Strood, where it’s said he gained inspiration from the regulars for characters in his novels.

Members of the Pickwick Club, a well-established group who dress in Victorian attire and attend events celebrating the life of the author, regularly meet in the bar.

At their next quarterly gathering they are due to rename an area inside in honour of Dickens.

The former office general manager said: “Every day I look forward to waking up and looking at emails and taking calls from people who want to celebrate their special occasions here. It makes a change from answering hundreds of complaints.”

Food is served between noon and 8pm Monday to Saturday and between noon and 6pm on Sundays.