A roadside pub with a “loyal local following” has temporarily called last orders while its owners find a new landlord to run it.

The Coach and Horses in Strood has shut while pub company Stonegate advertises to fill the vacancy for what it says could easily become the town’s “go-to local”.

The hostelry in London Road is one of the town’s few remaining boozers and is known for its live entertainment and quiz nights.

It benefits from a good-sized beer garden with a children’s play area, making it a popular spot for families.

There is also customer parking on the site of the busy junction leading to Gravesend.

Inside, there’s a mix of seating centred around the bar area, ideal for casual drinkers and social gatherings.

A spokesman for the pub company said: "The Coach and Horses in Strood has temporarily closed while we look to recruit a new publican.”

The advert adds: “Here’s a real opportunity to take the Coach and Horses to the next level. It already enjoys a loyal local following, but with the right operator, it has the potential to become a true hub of the community.

“The introduction of a food offer — however simple to start — would significantly broaden the appeal, and the pub’s layout and facilities lend themselves well to showing live sport, hosting events, and creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

The forecasted annual turnover is £476,462.

Stonegate is the UK’ biggest pub company, operating thousands of bars and nightclubs across the country.

Another of its businesses, The Prince of Wales in Chatham, is also seeking a new operator to run the pub in the town centre.

Situated in the pedestrianised area, it’s a popular haunt for sports enthusiasts, featuring several TV screens across two floors and a spacious function room with a separate bar.

As a Cask Marque-accredited establishment, it offers a selection of cask ales as well as a huge range of other quality brands and drinks.

Customers can enjoy live music, karaoke, and DJ events, and additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, a beer garden, a pool table, and both Sky and TNT Sports coverage.

Earlier this year, KentOnline reported the future of hundreds of pubs was “at risk” after the chain announced it was looking to refinance billions of pounds worth of debt.

The GMB Union claimed hundreds of Stonegate pubs across the south east - including 190 in Kent - could be facing big changes as parent company TDR Capital sought to reorganise a sum of £2.5billion.

At the time, a Stonegate spokesman said: “We continue to invest in our pubs and our people, in particular supporting local pubs which play such a key role in their communities.

“Our pub business remains very resilient despite the challenges our industry faces, with good like-for-like sales growth across the group.

“Following our recent successful financing announced in December as well as strong recent trading, we are well placed to deliver on our longer-term objectives and we are very confident in our ability to re-finance at the appropriate time.”

Those who are interested in the publican roles can apply via the Stonegate Group Pub Partners' website.