A popular pub is set to undergo a £1 million expansion creating more space for both diners and hotel guests.

Work has already begun at The Ship and Trades, which overlooks the marina at Chatham Maritime, to create a larger conservatory which will go around the side of the building.

The Shepherd Neame run pub will close for two months on Monday, February 29, and is set to reopen in the first week of May.

The new ground floor area will have space for an extra 80 people, as well as a glass fronted cask cellar, and online table booking will be available for the first time.

Improvements are also being made outside with the installation of heated covered areas.

The Ship and Trades also offers hotel accommodation on the first floor and the refurbishment will see five new rooms created - two with waterfront balconies.

One of the current 11 rooms is being removed to allow for a major expansion and refurbishment of the kitchen.

Director of retail and tenanted operations, Nigel Bunting, said: “We are thrilled to begin work on this exciting new development, which represents a significant investment not just in the Ship and Trades, but the local area.

“The Ship and Trades is one of our most popular pubs and we want to maximise that potential by expanding the opportunities for guests to eat, drink and stay.”

Built in 1875, the building once housed dockyard offices and an engineering shop.

It was taken over by Shepherd Neame in 2001 and transformed into a bar, restaurant and hotel.

Last week, the Ramada Encore Hotel in Chatham re-opened as after being taken over by Travelodge and a £600,000 facelift. It is the chain’s second hotel in Medway – with another at the M2 services in Gillingham.

The 90 bedrooms, reception area and bar have been refurbished as part of the takeover.

The hotel, next to Chatham’s Historic Dockyard, is being managed by Sarah McSherry, who previously worked at the company’s flagship hotel in Covent Garden. Her team of 21 staff have transferred from the Ramada Encore.