A long-standing and popular landlord, who ran a string of pubs in his 35 years in the licensing trade, has died.

Barry Pitcher, a former chairman of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association (LVA), passed away at the age of 74.

The jovial publican, whose last boozer was Expectations in Rochester High Street, was wheelchair-bound after suffering a stroke in 2017.

But he maintained much of his independence until he fell and broke his hip earlier this year and became more bed-bound and reliant on his close-knit family.

Born and growing up in Gravesend, Barry worked for a printing company in Lordswood after leaving school.

But his love of socialising and his favourite tipple, a pint of Carling, drew him to a career behind the bar.

His daughters - Carly, 37, and Jemma, 39 - have fond memories of their dad who was also a granddad to two boys and two girls.

Jemma said: “He was always hands-on. While most mums would pick up from school, it was dad who did the school run.

She said: “We lived in pubs as we were growing up and it was fun. There were always a lot of people around.

“We didn’t know any different until we moved into our own homes.”

They both share happy times of going on holiday abroad, including trips to the Caribbean and sunshine locations in Spain and Greece.

Carly added: “Running a pub was a 24-hour job, so we made the most of it by going away three or four times a year.”

They said Barry was “very much a family man” and they used to go out for meals in Rochester’s many restaurants regularly.

Barry was also a die-hard Chelsea fan, and although his job prevented him from going to see his team play, he would always watch matches from his favourite spot in the bar.

The girls recall he had a special chair at Expectations and locals knew never to claim it.

The LVA played a big part in Barry’s life and until recently he still attended meetings and annual events.

It was the association’s charitable arm that paid for his wheelchair so he could get out and about.

He ran Expectations, now Italian restaurant Padrino’s, from 1996 to 2011 and on his retirement moved to a flat in Horsted on the outskirts of Chatham.

Other pubs he ran included the Crispin and Crispianus in Strood which, in days gone by, was frequented by none other than Charles Dickens.

The world-famous novelist would often stop for a drink to get inspiration for his characters on his way back to his home at Gad’s Hill, Higham.

Barry was also at the helm at the Elephant and Castle, The Clarendon Inn and The Beacon Arms in Luton which, in its heyday, was a popular haunt with dockyard and factory workers.

The sisters, who both live in Strood with their families, said their father did not favour the new-style gastro pubs which have sprung up in town centres.

Jemma said: “He liked to have a laugh and take the mickey out of his regulars.”

Barry spent his final days at the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester where his family visited him every day.

After being told he might not make it to Christmas, his daughters brought him in a festive bottle of port with cheese and biscuits to his bedside.

It was there they raised a toast to a loving dad and granddad to Darcy, nine, Amia, eight, Kade, seven, and Albie, aged three.

Barry, who died on Monday, November 18, also leaves his second wife Susan, 73, from whom he was separated.

The funeral is at Medway Crematorium, Blue Bell Hill, on Tuesday, December 17 at 11.30am.

Flowers to T Allen Funeral Services, Strood, or donations to the Wisdom Hospice. Arrangements for the wake are yet to be finalised.