A popular pub is hoping to bowl customers over with its new look when it reopens next month following a £250,000 facelift.

The Cricketers in Gillingham is being renovated by national pub operator Punch and will be run by entrepreneur Tony Healy.

The pub in Sturdee Avenue, a favourite for home fans on Gilllingham match days, will continue to host live music and major big screen sports fixtures.

Tony and his team are introducing a new menu with a selection of reasonably priced traditional pub dishes, including an “amazing” Sunday roast.

Tony has 16 years’ experience in the licensed trade. Since moving to England from Ireland in 2001, he has built up a small portfolio of seven pubs around the London and the south east.

He said: “The Cricketers has a great feeling about it. It is a busy pub with friendly staff and I’m delighted that most of the team are staying on to work with me.”

He added: “The Gillingham fans will of course still be welcome, there is a home game the first weekend we are open.”

The pub is currently shut while renovations are being carried out. When it reopens on Wednesday, March 8, it will create four new jobs.

Openings manager for Punch, Janne Sedgwick, said: “This is an extensive refurbishment but we are being careful to keep all the character that the regular customers love.”