Rainham Arms, Gillingham

The makeover of this 1970s housing estate pub is mostly a good thing, but it's a shame that it lost the unique? original name - The Concorde. Anyway, the various semi-open seating (and now dining) areas have been smartened up, as has the front patio garden. Real ale is also now available again, albeit just Doom Bar (£3.80, a bit cloudy but drinkable) from a pair of handpumps.

The Concorde's new owners will be taking over from 11th November and closing for a transforming renovation on 11th November until 30th November. The new pub will be decorated and furnished to create a fun family pub and restaurant, and also a lively fun pub on the weekends! Good beer, home cooked food served daily, sky sports on up to 7 new screens and full party/catering facilities will be some of the new features! All welcome to the opening party on 30th November!

A 1970s estate pub, now a freehouse, which has recently undergone a personality change, the Concorde serves both its locals and the Rainham real ale community. A single large bar with a dated feel has a mix of floor-types including badly laid laminate flooring and shoddy fittings, and has a jerry-built feel about it. There are dartboards and a pool table, uncomfortabel seats and lots of plastic, but all that is superficial and makes the pleasant surprise of its beers all the more effective. The reception from locals and staff was very warm. Four ales on, I had Hop Back Summer Lightning which was in excellent condition. Only 10 minutes' walk from the station, this pub is well worth seeking out for its beer quality (it has recently gained a GBG entry).

The sawdust has gone but if you fancy a night in A@E this seems the perfect place to go. Beer wasnt good either stay safe and avoid altogether.