From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 30 June 2019.

Pub regulars bid to save The Good Intent, Rochester, from demolition by making it asset of community value.

Pub regulars have joined forces to save it from the bulldozers.

Plans have been submitted to demolish The "Good Intent," Rochester, to make way for a terrace of nine homes.

But scores of customers have launched a campaign to make it an asset of community value preventing any development of the John Street establishment.

Mel Barnett campaigning to save her local pub (12766010)

More than 150 letters of objection have also been sent to the council.

Leading the battle is Mel Barnett, whose Morris dancing group has met there for the last 16 years.

The mum-of three said: “We feel passionate about our pub. It is our social life. It may be a back street pub in the middle of a housing estate, but there are not many places you can get live entertainment and take the whole family around here.”

She is a member of the Wolf’s Head and Vixen side which has won numerous competition in Rochester’s Sweeps Festival.

She said: “The Sweeps is the biggest event of its kind in the UK and the "Good Intent" is known as the pub where we all come. It’s where the after-festival party is held and meeting place for Morris sides from all over the country.”

The Good Intent, John Street, Rochester.

It is well respected as a folk and acoustic music venue with live acts from all over the county performing regularly.

A bridge club, open mic, fancy dress themed parties, poetry and book readings are also held there.

Mrs Barnett, 46, of Gravesend Road, Strood, said: “The brewery are saying it’s not viable which I really don’t understand. There something on virtually every night and it’s usually full.

“The pub is part of the community. We don’t want more houses here. We don’t have the roads and schools to support more development. We shall fight this to the end and if need be take over the running of the pub ourselves.”

Several attempts were made to contact landlady Karen Woebley, who posted on social media on June 4: “Heads up lovely peeps, contrary to public misinformation it’s business as usual at The "Good Intent" Rochester for the foreseeable future.”

By nominating the pub as asset of community value it gives the council reasons to reject a planning proposal.

It gives the community the opportunity to bid for the property if it is sold or leased for 25 years or more. A local authority has eight weeks in which to decide whether to approve or reject a nomination.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 8 October 2019.

 The Good Intent pub in Rochester to be demolished for housing.

A pub, popular with folk music fans, is to be demolished to make way for housing, despite a campaign to save it.

Planning permission has been approved for eight three-bedroom homes on the site of the "Good Intent" in Rochester.

More than 150 letters of objection were sent to Medway Council, but the go-ahead was given by councillors at a planning committee.

Leading the battle was Mel Barnett, whose Morris dancing group has met at the pub in John Street for more than 16 years.

The mum-of-three said: “It is very sad. We feel passionate about the GI.

"It is a part of our social life and somewhere we can take our families.

"There are not many places where, on the middle of a housing estate, you can get live entertainment.”

But her Wolf’s Head and Vixen Side, which has won many awards and is a key feature at Rochester’s annual Sweeps Festival, has now found an alternative venue.

The dancing troupe, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, now meets at the "Sans Pareil," Frindsbury Hill, Strood.

Mel, who lives in Strood, said “We have a nice big space in a conservatory to practise in.

"We have members who come from all over Kent. It’s not in Rochester, but at least we are still in Medway, which is important to us.

“It’s mixed emotions. It’s sad the GI is to go, but we are glad we have found somewhere else.”

The pub will open its doors for the last time on Friday, January 31, 2020.

Over the years the "Good Intent" built up a reputation as a respected folk and acoustic music venue with live acts coming from all over the county.

It became an integral part of the community with a bridge club, open mic, fancy dress themes parties, poetry and booking readings also held there.

For a while a youth club was held in the pub, overseen by the local PCSO, to keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Nicola Jordan, 5 February 2022.

Plaque remembers happy times at Good Intent pub, John Street, Rochester.

Regulars of a popular pub demolished to make way for housing have unveiled a plaque on the site as a lasting memorial of happy times spent there.

Former customers of the Good Intent, a back street boozer in Rochester, gathered to raise a glass with ex-landlady Karen Woebley.

Former landlady Karen Woebley raises a glass.

The plaque has been installed on site of former Good Intent pub in Rochester.

When plans were announced to flatten the building, frequented by live music lovers and Morris dancers from across the county, a campaign was launched to save it.

But despite more than 150 letters of objection sent to Medway Council, the proposal to build eight three-bedroom homes in John Street was approved.

Now with building work almost complete in the newly-named Cobden Terrace and two years after last orders were called, they returned to unveil the plaque.

It reads: "Here stood the Good Intent Public House. 1858-2020. Enter as a stranger, leave as a friend."

Rochester Literature Festival held in the beer garden in July 2014.

Blessing of the plough in January 2020.

Marie Curie team at the pub in September 2019.

Folk singer Sally Ironmonger and partner Brian Carter were regular performers at the venue.

Sally said: "The Good Intent was such an important part of the folk music scene in Rochester and beyond.

"It was a welcome haven for singers, musicians and dancers not just during the annual Sweeps Festival, but all year round.

"Pretty much every song we have ever written had its debut performance at the regular sing-around sessions where we could try stuff out, mess it up, and get some feedback before taking it out into the wider world. There really is nowhere else like it."

The duo wrote a song about the venue called "Back Street Boozer" on their last album.

Karen Weobley behind the bar in April 2009.

The Good Intent Pub, John Street, Rochester.

The Good Intent Pub, John Street, Rochester.

Folk artists Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter.

Someone else who joined the battle to save the boozer was Mel Barnett whose Morris dancing group Wolf's Head and Vixen Side, met and danced at the pub for more than 16 years.

Over the years it became an integral part of the community with a bridge club, open mic, fancy dress-themed parties, poetry and book readings.

For a while it was home to a youth club overseen by the local PCSO to keep youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.

Karen, who ran the pub for many years, said: "So many friends, happy times and on occasion sad, with long lasting memories. None more so than now."

Ward councillor Teresa Murray (Lab) welcomed the installation of the plaque.

She said: "The pub meant a lot to so many people. It's a fitting way to remind people of what was there for so many years."