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Rock ‘n’ Roll pub The Prince of Wales, in Strood High Street, could become a restaurant

12:50, 07 May 2023

updated: 12:50, 07 May 2023

Plans have been drawn up to transform a rock ‘n’ roll pub into a restaurant.

The Prince of Wales, in Strood High Street, closed its doors for the last time in April and held its final rock and roll night.

Rockhouse band performing on the last night. Picture: Steve Mullane
Rockhouse band performing on the last night. Picture: Steve Mullane
Former landlord Peter Gillard behind the bar
Former landlord Peter Gillard behind the bar

The boozer was put up on the market for £650,000 in late 2021 when publicans Peter and Kathleen Gillard decided to call time after more than three decades.

It was well-known as a live music venue hosting rock 'n' roll bands and 50s music with people coming as far away as Hastings to attend.

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

On his retirement, avid Only Fools and Horses fan Peter said: "I feel brilliant. We have been there 35 years so we are happy to retire now. We are going to sit on the beach with Del Boy sipping piña coladas."

The new owners have now submitted an application to Medway Council to convert the ground floor of the public house into a restaurant and install a new shop front.

If approved, the applicants will create a bigger dining area, a new kitchen and move the men and women’s toilets.

Fans at the last rock ‘n’ roll night. Picture: Steve Mullane
Fans at the last rock ‘n’ roll night. Picture: Steve Mullane
Plans have been submitted to turn it into a restaurant
Plans have been submitted to turn it into a restaurant

It will also see the removal of The Prince of Wales sign out the front of the building.

You can view the plans on the council’s planning portal here or by searching for reference number MC/23/0980.

It is not yet been revealed what type of restaurant will be created if the plans are given the green light.

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