Two friends bidding to open a new bar say they are “ready to regenerate” a town’s nightlife after its licence was approved despite noise concerns.

John Biggs and Simon Lock saw their plans to bring The Dracula Parrot to Dover rejected by councillors last year - but have now had their idea green-lit by Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) licensing committee.

They are taking over the former Leas Lift Lockout escape rooms building in Sandgate Road, Folkestone, and plan to open the site in March.

Punk, rock, metal, ska and goth acts will take to the stage in the building’s basement, subject to final planning approvals.

“The first stage of the process is complete - we’ll now be working with the FHDC planning office to get the change of use approved,” Mr Lock said.

“We won’t be playing live music until all the sound assessments are completed, but this will be done very quickly once we’re in the building.

“We are now so hopeful for the future of Folkestone as a music town.

“We think it’s a great place for the venue in the middle of the town centre and a great place to start the regeneration in the area.

“We hope to be the first of many to open venues like this in the town. Folkestone can become a vibrant and lively nightspot.”

The bar is set to open seven days a week, with live music initially planned for weekends.

But the approval of the premises licence comes despite concerns over noise emanating from the venue.

Resident Jenny Wilson, of nearby Pleydell Court in Pleydell Gardens, says she objected to the application “for a number of reasons”.

“There is the assumption in the application that we are part of the town centre,” she told the licensing meeting.

“Pleydell Court is a residential area. It is very lightly commercial.

“I think we all agree it would be great to have a music venue in the area. However, it is vital that it goes in the right place. I do not believe this is the right place.

“It's going to disturb a large number of people who live here.”

Similar concerns had been raised in Dover earlier this year, where Mr Biggs and Mr Lock saw their plans to open in Snargate Street blocked amid fears neighbours would be “forced to listen to rock music late into the night”.

"It's going to disturb a large number of people who live here..."

But FHDC’s licensing committee unanimously approved their latest bid, and the pair are due to install soundproofing to minimise disruption to nearby residents.

Last month, Mr Biggs spoke about the challenges facing Folkestone’s music scene, particularly in light of the closure of The Chambers earlier this month.

Owners of the popular venue in Cheriton Place cited social changes, lockdowns, and the cost-of-living crisis as factors behind its struggles.

The site will reopen for one last event today (Sunday) in what is being described as “a fitting way to go out”.

“I’m very sad to see The Chambers is closing,” Mr Biggs said.

“They did a brilliant job, and in an ideal world, we’d be working together to help revive the scene in Folkestone.

“We want to see people travelling from all over the county to Folkestone for a night out again.”

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Folkestone was named a “music town” five years ago, which means the area has formally recognised music as an asset to boost economic growth, tourism, health and wellbeing.

Over the years, the town has hosted gigs from some of the world’s biggest bands, including Fleetwood Mac and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Folkestone resident Noel Redding playing the bass guitar for the latter.

Now the licensing bid has been approved, FHDC is considering the separate change of use application for The Dracula Parrot site, and a decision is expected by January 24.