Historic Rochester pub opens doors again after £1.2M transformation

By Giles Gwinnett

29 November 2023

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A historic pub in Rochester, Kent has reopened following a £1.2 million refurbishment fit for a king.

In a nod to King Charles’s coronation earlier this year and King Henry VIII’s historic visit to the town in 1539 to meet his fourth bride Anne of Cleves, 'The Crown' has relaunched as 'The Royal Crown'.

The Grade II listed Shepherd Neame pub welcomed customers again on Saturday, November 25 and will continue to be led by general manager Tom Crackett. It dates back to the 1860s but there has been an inn on the site since the 1300s.

"We are delighted to unveil The Royal Crown’s new look and offer. Our team have worked incredibly hard during the past months to revitalise this historic building while also preserving its unique character and features," said Shepherd Neame's managing director of pubs Jonathon Swaine.

"The pub boasts an amazing riverside location in the heart of Rochester, and we are sure that following this stunning transformation it will continue to go from strength to strength."

Over the last three months the pub has undergone an extensive internal and external renovation.

A new entrance lobby has been created and new furniture and décor has been introduced throughout, while retaining traditional features.

The first floor has been remodelled with a former storage room now part of the bar and restaurant area, and a previously boarded window reclaimed to allow views of the river Medway.

Sport will remain at the heart of the pub, with the first floor area offering seven TV screens showing Sky Sports and TNT Sports, and further screens in the ground floor bar and restaurant, said Shepherd Neame.

Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame has been based in Kent for more than 300 years and is perhaps best known for its classic ales such as Spitfire Amber, which carries the Royal Warrant.

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By Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.