The Countryman, Gillingham

This 1870s town pub was originally called The Ghuznee Fort after an action by Sappers from nearby Brompton Barracks which took place in the First Afghan War. Since there are once again soldiers from Brompton fighting in Afghanistan, maybe it is time to change the name back out of respect - the local rumour is that it was changed in the 1990s either to appease the local Asian population or to distance the business from its reputation as a hangout for gangs. It was a Jude and Co tied house around the 1900s, was taken over by Trumans some time in the 20th Century and is now owned by Enterprise. The interior still shows signs of its well preserved original architecture, including the staircase, but has been badly converted into a single large bar on the ground floor. There used to be a function room upstairs, but that seems to be closed now. There is a carpet covering the original flooring, and there is some exposed brickwork which appears contrived and at odds with the tv screen and gaming machine. The background music was reasonable, the place smelt of dog and there was no real ale available. There is a good local clientele, and the pub recently featured in one of Derren Brown's shows. The staff are very friendly and the welcome is genuine. If they got some decent beer in, I'd probably pop in here more often.

The tiled exterior of the Countryman screams traditional backstreet boozer and after a couple of disappointing journeys to find it closed I was pleased to gain entry on Halloween evening (Monday). The opening times are 15:00 until 23:00 Monday thru Thursday, 15:00 until 00:30 Fridays, midday until 00:30 Saturdays and midday until 23:30 on Sundays. The interior is thin, but this is a long pub that stretches back to a seating area where the walls are painted like a country cottage. Past this seating area is a pool room, but the lights were off during my visit. The bar is located at the front of the pub and there is a dartboard opposite the entrance. There is also a plasma screen, but I didn’t spot any Sports advertisements. Halfway up the pub there is a double sided staircase of the likes I have not seen before. The jukebox was sporadically playing random songs, but predominant noise was from the five or six locals at the bar who were having an in-depth conversation about nuclear submarines. The woman working the bar was polite without being overly friendly and I was surprised that there were no hand pumps, which really let this pub down. I’d have no problem popping back in for a Guinness or two.