Hidden behind a door in an antique furniture shop, lies a secret, glamorous bar only accessible with a password.

The speakeasy – originally an illicit establishment that sold alcohol during the Prohibition era – can be found in the Potting Shed, in Rendezvous Street, Folkestone.

But you’ve probably never been, or even heard of it, as only those with the special code are allowed in.

The furniture store, and its back-room bar, have been run by David Holden since 2019.

But he has now revealed plans to stop selling furniture and instead launch a deli offering wine, pastries, home goods and skincare products.

Asked what his motivation is for the change, Mr Holden said: “I want to make more money”.

Current front-of-house offerings include a rustic French garage sign, vintage Indian quilts and a £235 garden umbrella.

While the main shop is due for a makeover, it is understood the speakeasy will remain untouched.

Mr Holden says the drink menu is reminiscent of 1930s America.

He said: “We serve cocktails from that era, like Manhattans, Old Fashions, and White Ladies, we also serve charcuterie bar food.”

But when asked about the secret door connecting the two areas the 51-year-old was tight-lipped.

“I don’t want to reveal too much,” he said.

“But if you walk into the shop, which looks like a regular shop, there’s a secret entrance to the bar in the back.”

Mr Holden says got the idea for the bipartite business model after visiting a friend of his in Birmingham who runs a menswear store with an adjoining covert boozer.

“I wanted to open the antique shop but I thought there needed to be a second string to the business.

“Both sides of the store have been profitable so far, but now I’m going to change the front part of the shop into a wine bar and delicatessen.

“We’ll continue to sell some homeware goods and antiques and there’s this line of Aesop skin care products that does quite well.”

Plans approved by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s licencing sub-committee say the shop will extend the hours they are allowed to serve on-site alcohol until from 11pm to midnight.

The store is now also approved to sell alcohol for consumption off-site every day from 11am until 10pm.

Speakeasies were illicit establishments that sold alcoholic beverages in the USA during the 1920s and 30s Prohibition era.

During this time, selling, manufacturing and transporting alcohol was made illegal in the States in a bid to reduce crime and promote better morals.

The venues largely disappeared after the era ended in 1933, and the term is now often used to describe retro style bars.

Planning documents from 2019, when the Potting Shed’s bar was first approved, revealed only people “in the know” would be invited to attend.

They stated: “Entrance to the bar will be by appointment only as the bar will not be advertised, in trying to keep with the original premise of the speakeasy that it was a secret that only people in the know knew about.

"This way we can control who comes into the bar and always have a record of their contact details."