From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk 10 October 2005.

Street attack victim in critical condition.

A 30-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after a serious assault outside a public house.

Andrew Richardson was attacked by a group of five men in Cossack Street, Rochester, at about 6.30pm on Saturday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which they are describing as a “very serious assault”.

Mr Richardson, of Warren Wood Road, Rochester, is being treated at Medway Maritime Hospital at Gillingham.

Kamber Satil, manager of the Rochester Best Kebab shop, near to where the man was attacked, saw the fight.

He said: “We were very busy because it was a Saturday night and I heard lots of shouting.

“When I looked out of the window, I saw five men beating up a man on the floor. Everybody was screaming and shouting. It took about 20 minutes for the ambulance to get here and the man lay on the floor for that time.

“The five men ran off after he stopped moving. We do get quite a lot of fights around here but never anything this bad.

“There are CCTV cameras but I don’t know if they are working.”

Landlord of the "Carpenters Arms" Mick Shave said: “The area in front of my pub was cordoned off for about four hours. I have been told that Andrew was drinking in here but I don’t remember.

“I remember hearing all the shouting outside and then the ambulances and police arrived.”

Det Sgt Kerry Rothwell said: “A 30-year-old man lies seriously ill in hospital having been physically attacked by a group of men in Cossack Street, Rochester, on Saturday, October 8, between 6.20 and 6.40pm, as he left the "Carpenters Arms" pub.

“We are using CCTV retrieval as part of our investigations. Enquiries are on-going with regards to suspects’ identities.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw this incident or anyone with knowledge of the offenders to contact Rochester Police station on 01634 884035 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555111.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 9 August 2023.

The Carpenters Arms pub in Cossack Street, Rochester has shut after 168 years.

Yet another backstreet pub has fallen victim to the cost of living crisis.

The Carpenters Arms, in Rochester, has called last orders after serving pints to locals for about 168 years.

The traditional hostelry in Cossack Street has been repossessed by bailiffs and furniture and fittings are being cleared.

The owner, Will, who described himself as an investor, was hopeful that a new tenant might keep it as a pub.

He said: “We have had quite a lot of interest. We need to get matters sorted out and then we can start marketing.

“It’s a large building and comes with a four-bedroom flat.

“It’s very much a locals’ pub.”

A bailiff's notice posted outside the pub.

Notices placed outside state that Mid Kent Bailiff Service repossessed the premises on Monday, July 24.

It warned that if anyone attempted to enter the property without permission they could expect to be prosecuted.

Another noted that if anyone needed to collect anything from inside they should notify the landlord within 14 days, which expired on Monday this week.

The Carpenters Arms is one of a string of pubs to have shut in recent years in the area around Delce Road, known locally as The Delce.

In 2020, the "Good Intent" in John Street was demolished to make way for housing.

In Cecil Road, the "Prince of Wales" had its licence revoked after a violent attack took place during an after-hours session.

Others to close nearby include the "What The Dick Inns" in Ross Street and The "Greyhound" in Rochester Avenue.