78 John Street

Rochester

Above photo 2009 by Chris Whippet Creative Commons Licence.

It seems there have been 2 pubs with this name. The original "Morden Arms" being addressed in nearby Queen Street, but this was demolished in 1963.

The Closed Pubs project says the pub was situated on John Street, which I believe is close to Queen Street and was previously called the "High Span."

The building shown above used to be both pub and off licence, but latterly was just a two-roomed pub. After a short closure It recently re-opened after a break resulting from loss of trade, but they didn't bother to redecorate and even the outside signage remains in disrepair. As you enter, having crossed the tidemark of fag ends and chewing gum which marks the curtilage, you find a lino-floored hall; turn left and there is a battered, dirty, unfriendly room with a pool table, turn right and there is a battered, dirty, unfriendly room without a pool table. There was no real ale and no food on offer in 2013 when this was written. The inhabitants were mostly "yoofs" whose grasp of any language was marginal. While the writer of this account was there the pub cat tried to do a runner but was caught by its captors and made to stay. A great pub for those who want to enjoy the post apocalyptic atmosphere, but if you want a decent pint in pleasant surroundings, there are some excellent alternatives nearby.

From an email received 31 December 2021. The more modern "Morden Arms" was built as part of the high rise flats estate in John Street that were subsequently demolished. It was originally named the "High Span" and was known by that name until it was renamed the "Morden Arms" I think in the early 2000s when a new landlord took it over. I don’t think it stood on the original site of the "Morden Arms." The modern pub has also recently been demolished and has been replaced by low level flats. Kevin Stears.

Above Google image, December 2020, showing the location of the "Morden Arms."

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