From the Medway Messenger, Friday, 18 March, 2016. By Nicola Jordan.

PERFECT PLACE FOR A PINT AND A CHAT.

Micropub fever continues to sweep across Medway with the fourth, "Prince of Ales," opening in Rainham.

Real ales fan Chris Strachan and Karl Martin welcomed their first customers on Saturday and business has been brisk ever since.

The two men, both die-hard CAMRA members from, Rainham, have adhered to the micropub mantra - small and simple.

While there are plans to introduce sandwiches on the lunch time menu, at the moment pork scratchings and crisps are the order of the day.

Beers are poured from the cask and music, fruit machines, televisions and children are banned.

But there is one concession. As one of the only mini free-houses to have Wi-fi connection, mobile phones are permitted.

Mr. Strachan, of Cherry Tree Road, said he "got fed up with not having a pub in Rainham that I liked. I have a passion for real ale, with the big brewery chains don't tend to sell."

The idea came to him on a cycle ride three years ago starting at Kent's first micropub, the "Butcher's Arms" in the village of Herne.

His journey took him to 12 similar hostelries by which time, while a "little unsteady" on his bike, he decided that he wanted to open up one in his own home town.

His first plan was to convert vacant premises in Station Road fell through, but he later noticed the old post office in the High Street was to let and put in an offer.

Mr. Martin, of Barleycorn Drive, said, "There are not the number of small free houses there used to be. It's all big chains and the focus on food and families.

"This is somewhere back to basics where you can engage good old-fashioned conversation."

On the other micropubs, Mr. Strachan said, "I've been to all three of them and we are even thinking of setting up a minibus tour of them. There's certainly room for four in Medway. In fact, I would say with the number of CAMRA members we have here, there's room for a lot more.

"Prince of Ales" opens noon to 2.30pm on Mondays; noon to 2.30pm and 5pm to 9.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; noon to 10pm Fridays, Saturdays and noon to 6pm, Sundays.

OTHER MICRO PUBS.

"Past and Present," Skinner Street, Gillingham, opened in August 2014.

"10.50 from Victoria," North Street, Strood, March 2015.

The "Flipping Frog," High Street, Rochester, December 2015.