Ye Arrow pub in Rochester has re-opened after Medway Council inspectors shut it down due to mouse infestation.

One of Rochester’s most popular pubs was given permission to reopen today after hygiene inspectors shut it down because it was overrun with mice.

Food and safety officers closed "Ye Arrow" in Boley Hill on Friday because of “a widespread, active and uncontrolled mouse infestation throughout the premises”.

Droppings and a dead mouse were discovered in a ground floor store room near the kitchen where there was contaminated ready-to-eat food.

But after a hearing before Medway magistrates this morning, Medway Council issued a certificate allowing it to reopen for business.

A council spokesman said: “Officers revisited "Ye Arrow" following the court hearing and were satisfied that the business had taken prompt and effective action to deal with the health concerns.”

A notice posted outside the pub read “Ye Arrow closed for the weekend due to unforeseen circumstances”.

Mr. Tim Watters, the owner, said yesterday: “We have had the pest control people in all over the weekend and hopefully we will be given the all-clear and re-open for the weekend.

“In the five-and-a-half years I have had the pub this is the first problem we have had.

“It’s a big old unit with shared storage space with the pub next door so they could have come in from several directions.

“Droppings were found in a room we rarely use. It only takes a gap the size of a pen for them to get in.”

The adjoining "Jolly Knight," also owned by Mr. Watters, remained open for business as normal.

The notice came just three days after Pizza Plus Fried Chicken, in Gillingham High Street, was served a hygiene emergency prohibition order by Medway Magistrates' Court for similar issues.

The order, served to Kunaradnam Kunanathan, forced the fast food takeaway to close due to "an active and widespread infestation of mice and the presence of contaminated food and food packaging presented an imminent risk of injury to health".

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Brad Harper, 14 September 2025.

Assistant head teacher in hospital after suspected Rochester High Street acid attack near Ye Arrow pub.

An assistant head teacher has described the “insane” pain he suffered after what is believed to be acid was allegedly thrown in his face at a high street pub.

Adam Tickner says he is lucky to be alive after an altercation between one of his pals and a pub-goer escalated in the garden of Ye Arrow, Rochester, last night (September 13).

Assistant head teacher Adam Tickner is in hospital this morning after a suspected acid attack last night. Picture: Adam Tickner.

The 32-year-old from Sittingbourne was trying to separate the pair before another punter threw a suspected corrosive substance in the teacher’s face.

The dad-of-two blacked out immediately, and the incident sparked a huge emergency response in the area with the high street cordoned off.

Firefighters spent 30 minutes pouring water on Adam’s face as he was given morphine to help cope with the excruciating pain.

He remains in hospital this morning.

“There was an altercation between one of my mates and a teenager.

“I got in the middle of them to break them up, and one of his friends came from behind him.

“He was about four metres away and threw the acid at me from a small bottle.

“I blacked out and collapsed on the floor.”

When Adam came to, he remembers seeing a huge number of police, paramedics and firefighters at the scene.

“They closed the high street,” he added. “It was very scary.

“The fire brigade was pouring water on my face for 30 minutes.

“The pain was insane. My lips were five times the size they usually are.

“They took my clothes for evidence as my T-shirt had acid on.

“I was given morphine and paracetamol.”

Medics confirmed the liquid was acid and told Adam he was fortunate to be alive following the incident.

“I have burns to my lips and my tongue is swollen,” he said.

“The doctors said I was lucky because if a bit of acid had gone down my throat, it would have been catastrophic.”

At this stage, Adam is unsure whether he will need surgery.

“They are keeping me in for another 24 hours to monitor me,” he added. “It is a waiting game.”

A police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 10.15pm on Saturday, September 13 to a pub in High Street, Rochester, following reports of an assault involving a corrosive substance.

“Officers attended the scene alongside emergency services, and one person was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

“Witnesses who have not yet spoken to the police and anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 46/159665/25.”