A pub’s change of name and appearance has caused a bit of a stir.

In the last week, the outside of The Entertainer, formerly The George and Dragon, in Sittingbourne High Street has been painted blue and the premises renamed Bargain Boozer £ Pub.

It’s led to some people slamming the building’s appearance and signage on Facebook.

One person wrote that it now looks like ‘Papa Smurf’s house’, while another said: "The blue is a matter of taste, but the name is awful. Would put me off even trying it."

Many questioned if the changes were permissable as it is a Grade II listed building in a conservation area.

Local historian John Clancy says he feels the makeover lowers the tone of the town.

He said: “It’s not in keeping with the area. It shouldn’t be fiddled about with like that.

“The shop next to number 59, I was trying to get a plaque fitted on it but, knowing it was listed and in a conservation area, I had to go through the whole planning application process to get it fitted – so I’m wondering how they’ve got away with what they’ve done?

“I’m sure it’s a case of nobody has spotted it yet.”

A spokesman for Swale council said: “Changes to signs on listed buildings do require listed building consent, and may also need advertisement consent.

“Our planning enforcement team are aware of the new signage, and are contacting the owner to discuss the matter.”

Enterpise Inns, a British leased and tenanted pub company, acquired the pub in 2002 and confirmed the current publican, who they declined to name for data protection reasons, has been there since 2004.

A company spokesman said: “We have the pub listed as The George and Dragon and have no record of name changes.

“We lease or rent pubs to individuals to run their own businesses.

“We have the pub listed as The George and Dragon and have no record of name changes" - Enterprise Inns

“The type of pub business and the day to day running is down to the individual publican.

“The external repair and maintenance, including paint and decoration of the property, is the sole responsibility of the publican under the terms of his lease.

“We can confirm that, while we were aware that he was intending to carry out work to the exterior of the pub we had not entered into any discussions or received any requests for approval in relation to the change of name.”

Publicans Colin and Dawn Barrett said the pub’s sign had only been removed so it could be refurbished.

They said: “The name Bargain Boozer is my trading name, not the name of the pub.

“It's still the George pub and the signs fixated to the walls are the original ones.

“As for the colour, when we did our survey light blue seemed a nice natural colour.

“You have pubs up and down that high street doing happy hours deals, Wetherspoon doing pints for £1.99 and ales even cheaper.

“So all I am doing is competing with the competition.

“No one seems to complain, just enjoy our prices. Why pay more?”