The former Steinbeck and Shaw nightclub in Canterbury is undergoing a £1 million refit and will re-open next month as a unique, late night venue – with a Japanese twist.

It will be called Tokyo Tea Rooms, but rather than serving fine teas, it will specialise in the very best in cocktails.

Contractors have gutted the interior which is now being re-fitted in Japanese-style opulence ready for its launch on Saturday, August 18.

It will be run by local hospitality and entertainment specialists Distinctive Bars who say it will create a bespoke, premium addition to Canterbury's nightlife.

It is a new company set up by the Jones family, who run Club Chemistry in Station Road West.

But Mrs Jones says it will be a complete departure from that venue and bring a fresh, unique, stylish and 'grown-up' experience for customers with "evolving cocktail menus and immersive live performances."

"We didn't have a vision from the outset but idea has kind of evolved and we brought a professional interior designer on board to get the look and feel," she said. "It was certainly never going to be dark and dreary."

As well as cocktails, the bar will offer "bottomless" Proseco with canapés for between £20 and £25.

The venue will currently only open in the evenings until 3am but Mrs Jones said they may consider offering a food menu in the future which could lead to daytime openings.

Another new cocktail bar in the city will finally open its doors after a lengthy refit on Thursday, August 16.

Owner Angela Long bought the redundant underground public toilets in Lower Bridge Street at auction from the city council in 2015 for £198,000.

But the work to convert them has been beset with technical difficulties and taken longer than expected.

Now the venue, known aptly as Privy, is almost ready to open and Mr Long says it will "epitomise sophistication with an opulent touch of gold and timeless class."

“Customers will feel like Hollywood royalty in this gorgeous space," she said. "With a hint of urban hipster chic, the vibe will be reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy."