A main road pub is set to reopen under a new owner after being empty for almost a year.

Sodhi Singh has taken over The King’s Head on the junction of Chalkwell Road and London Road, Sittingbourne.

The 45-year-old, who has lived in the town all his life, purchased the boozer for around £720,000 after it shut last June.

The self-proclaimed ‘Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T) entrepreneur’, who is also landlord of properties in Chaucer Road shopping promenade, got the keys to the Victorian-built watering hole last week and has already rebranded it with a new name: ‘The G.O.A.T at The Kings Head’.

Although the former Fulston Manor School pupil, who has a degree in geographical information systems from Kingston University, says he cannot reveal all his plans, he says he will spend between £30,000 and £50,000 renovating the premises.

The dad-of-two faces another bill as the pub’s lights were all left on when it was closed down.

“We had to turn the lights off when we first came in,” he said. “But we don’t know how much the bill could be and are hoping the utilities company will read just it.”

Mr Singh says that while he does not have any experience in the night-time industry, it has always been an ambition to run a pub.

He said: “It is one of those things I have always wanted to do.

“I like to try things at least once in my life. Hopefully, we can revive the night culture and the community spirit.

“After Covid, a lot of people sit at home and do nothing, we will try to do different things.

“We will have chessboards, darts, draughts, quiz nights, and bingo.

“It used to be a hub for the community, and I want to revive it again.

“People will want to come here, away from Wetherspoons or The Vineyard, there will be lots of different events on, and people will not want to miss the show.”

On why he will be able to make the business work when others had failed, he added: “It is a struggle out there, considering the [price of] pints.

“Just to get pints from your local Tesco or your local shop costs you £6.

“The pubs have to provide lights, electricity, entertainment, so you’re going to have to pay extra, but you get to meet people and that’s what it’s about.

“The pub is about meeting people, having a laugh, getting social and going out and having a good time.

“We will make this place to come to for all of that.

“It has a lot of potential as well with a lot of footfall driving past every day.”

The King’s Head sign at the front of the pub has been covered up by a new one which says ‘The G.O.A.T. #Justice for Sidhu Moose Wala’.

This is a nod to the late Punjabi rapper and politician who was shot dead at the age of 28 in May 2022.

“He meant a lot to me and the people of Punjab because of what he stood for,” he said. “He spoke out about human rights and water rights.

“So the name is a bit of a tribute to him.”

Mr Singh said there is no date for reopening, which will create five jobs, but he wants to welcome customers “as soon as possible”.

He said: “You’re going to see lots of progress.

“If we can pull it off, it’s going to work. Hopefully, the community can come together, and we can have a hub out here.

“We’ve got so many different ideas [but] I don’t want to tease you.”