From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Amy Nickalls, 23 October 2018.

The Britannia in Gillingham High Street closed for £150,000 makeover.

One of the last pubs on a high street will shut for a month for major refurbishment.

The Britannia in Gillingham is expected to reopen towards the end of November after work began on its transformation.

The £150,000 inside and outside revamp began last Monday after Pete Darling permanently took on the licence for the boozer, having initially done so on a trial basis in September last year.

The Britannia on Gillingham High Street is closing for major refurbishments. Picture: Phil Lee.

He said: “I’ve lived in Medway all my life and can remember the High Street when it had four or five pubs, but one by one they’ve closed in recent years.

“People are crying out for a great local in the centre of Gillingham.

“I want to bring The Britannia back to life and give it the TLC it needs - residents need a fantastic pub that caters for all.

"I put in a £9,000 all-weather garden in the summer and was overwhelmed by people’s reaction.

The Britannia on Gillingham High Street is closing for major refurbishments. Picture: Phil Lee.

“The plans for the building are even more spectacular and I can’t wait to see the response to the new-look Britannia.”

The latest work will see the tiles on the front of the building restored, additional lighting, signage and a mural of Britannia.

Inside there will be new furniture, flooring and toilets.

A kitchen and dining area are to be added and the pub will offer freshly prepared, home-cooked food.

The Britannia on Gillingham High Street is closing for major refurbishments. Picture: Phil Lee.

The team will also start showing BT Sports and will open a games area with TV screens, darts and a pool table.

Star Pubs & Bars regional operations director Dugald Macer said: “Peter is an experienced licensee with a great knowledge of the Medway area and a real understanding of what local people want.

“We’re delighted to be working with him to revive The Britannia’s fortunes and to be building on the investment that Gillingham’s town centre has already seen at its railway station.”