The Mast & Rigging, Gillingham

New-build Marston's pub / restaurant set among the various new waterfront developments. No surprises inside or out, and very much family focused as you would expect, and a small children's play area can be found in the front beer garden. Numerous seating and dining areas set in an overall L shape, all with the usual anonymous corporate furniture and decoration (although I've seen worse examples). Disappointingly, though, just Pedigree (£4.65) available from a total of eight handpumps, but at least this was in good shape.

A new-build Marston's pub in a clean modern design on former wasteland which was once part of the docks complex. It sits between Asda and the new dockside development but has a surprisingly large amount of space around it. There is plenty of parking, both on the pub's own site and at Asda. There is a children's play area at the front, and there is a modern garden which is fine for families and smokers. The single bar is large and open plan, L-shaped, with tiled flooring and a low counter at the apex, ad there were a couple of TV screens placed discreetly around the walls. The manager looked familiar, possibly from running another pub in the area, but I couldn't quite place him. He seemed to know what he was doing, but the same couldn't be said for the gobby young barman whose 'banter' bordered on the disrespectful. The waiting staff were inexperienced and inefficient, seemingly unaware of the concept of customer service. The diners had brought gangs of unruly children with them to ensure no-one fell asleep over their beer. Food was the usual Marston's stuff, largely unappealing. Ales on were Hobgoblin, Wainwright's, Fortyniner and one other |I forgot to record. Actually not bad as these places go.