A popular Rochester pub has closed after its bosses were landed with a High Court music ban and legal costs of £2,219.

The order was made in April against Kashmir and Luke Tuman after they were caught playing recorded copyrighted tracks at the Queen Charlotte in the High Street without a proper music licence.

The judge was told that an inspector heard the music coming from the basement club.

Failure to comply with the Phonographic Performance Ltd rules can result in a hefty fine and prison sentence.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page says: “Due to circumstances out of our control the Queen Charlotte and Bassment 159 will unfortunately be closing its doors at the end of this month (June).”

A spokesman from Ei Publican Partnerships, formerly known as Enterprise Inns, which owns the pub, said: “The Queen Charlotte, Rochester, is currently closed.

“We would like to reassure members of the community we aim to reopen this site with a new operator as soon as possible.”

Until a few years ago, the pub was also home to a strip club, but lost its licence to the Casino Rooms as the council will not permit two such establishments in the High Street.