The owners of a new venue got so fed up with travelling to London for a good night out that they decided to liven up the scene in their town.

DJs Travis Skelton, Alfy Dunne and Rory Pye have spent six months renovating the former Bairstow Eves estate agent into The Art Club in Dover’s Market Square.

The venue doubles up as a cafe and co-working space by day, and a live events venue and bar by night – with music, art and comedy on show.

After opening last month, director Travis Skelton says there is nothing similar on offer in the town.

“There is not a lot in Dover in terms of nightlife,” he said.

“We don't really go out unless we're travelling to London and we were getting fed up with always travelling so we thought, let's create something at home ourselves.

“There are a few other venues in town which is nice to see because we don't want to be the only ones, but when you walk through the door you’ll see there is nothing else like us in Dover.

“We didn't know how the daytime was going to go, being what people have called “another coffee shop”, but we are offering something different because it is a co-working space with a more chilled-out vibe.

“In the evenings we are a cocktail bar and at the weekends we clear everything out and we're a music and event space.

“It's nice to finally put our creative stamp on something.”

The trio have been working in events for the past six years and are behind Section 82 festival, held in Dover.

The Art Club will be an extension to this, giving them a permanent base to host more regular events as they feel there is a need for more creative arts in the town.

As well as the bar, stage and courtyard, the owners say they have gone above and beyond to make the venue as soundproof as possible to be a considerate neighbour to residents and businesses.

“We've spent an awful lot of money on our windows,” explained Mr Skelton.

“The bar has been completely custom-built with acoustic panelling to make it sound as good as possible.

“The sound system is all pointed around and not just in one stack – so wherever you stand in the venue, it sounds really good and it is not too loud.

“We know a lot of complaints come from the High Street with people smoking and being loud, but to get in people have to use our side entrance so everyone's in and out around the back.

“It will be one-in-one-out on the door once we hit capacity, which is between 100 and 120 people.”

The venue is open until 11pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays for workshops and activities, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays for events.