The owners of a town centre music bar have allayed fears of nuisance noise after gaining planning permission to stay open until 2am.

Melissa Scholefield and Lindsay Thompson opened The Old Cigar and Olive in Folkestone in June last year following the closure of Eleto Chocolate Cafe.

In February, they applied to Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) to vary the premises license, allowing an additional three hours at the weekend and one during the week.

They also asked for permission for live music acts to perform until closing time at the site in Rendezvous Street.

The bid was approved at an FHDC licensing meeting last week, meaning the venue can now stay open until 2am on Friday and Saturday, and until midnight on Sunday to Wednesday and 1am on Thursday.

Speaking at the meeting, the bar’s representative Julian Overton said the site is not an “alcohol-led establishment”.

“On the premises themselves, it’s currently a bar with an emphasis on live music and entertainment,” he said.

“It’s a thriving entertainment venue giving opportunities to up-and-coming local acts, and they see themselves very much as developing something that’s offering a great deal to the nighttime economy of Folkestone.”

“The motivation for the application is the financial imperative.

“It’s clear to the applicant this will bring a great deal of benefit to the business in being open those extended hours.”

In preparation for the application, The Old Cigar and Olive held seven live music events under temporary event notices to test the waters on the later closing time.

But one resident added comments against the application over excessive noise levels.

They said: “Living in close proximity to the premises, I already experience noise disturbances and extending the hours will significantly worsen the situation.

“Allowing later hours will lead to increased noise pollution, sleepless nights, and potential public disturbances.

“I would like to mention the night of March 7, when music from the pub played until 2am.

“As a result, I experienced a completely sleepless night and significant stress. It’s unacceptable to have such loud music every week.”

Originally, FHDC’s environmental health team did register an objection, stating they were investigating three reports of excessive noise from the site.

However, this was subsequently removed before the meeting after amendments were agreed with the applicant.

“Folkestone lacks live music venues, and that is what we are trying to deliver…”

Concerns were also raised over the bar’s outdoor area and its impact on public nuisance, if patrons were allowed outside until the early hours.

In an attempt to allay fears, a new lobby area will be installed, and noise levels will continue to be monitored with a sound meter that the applicants previously purchased.

But at the meeting, Cllr Paul Thomas (Ind) suggested more stringent measures could be imposed on the venue.

He said: “You’ll also find many venues across the district have a noise limiter fitted to automatically terminate the loud noise if it hits a particular level.

“I think residents would expect us to insist on something like that being installed, and maybe then there will never be an issue at any time in the future.”

However, Mr Overton said a noise limiter represented a “considerable burden” for the applicants.

He said: “It’s simply a question of cost. I know within government guidance it talks about noise limiters and how they’re a considerable burden for smaller venues.

“If this venue needs one, it will get one, but at this stage, I think the consensus is that the conditions proposed are proportionate to the issues that have happened or perceived issues that might happen at this venue.”

Overall, councillors voted to approve the variation, adding additional conditions to prevent patrons from entering 90 minutes before closing and that the outdoor areas are not to be used after midnight.

Reacting to the decision, Ms Schofield and Ms Thompson stated the new hours will allow them to accommodate more of the “hundreds of enquiries” from artists wishing to play at the venue.

They said: “Folkestone lacks live music venues, and that is what we are trying to deliver.

“As responsible business owners we have worked tirelessly with environmental health and licensing to ensure we deliver the best quality music for Folkestone whilst not causing our neighbours and friends any nuisance.

“We are extremely pleased FHDC granted our extended license, giving all consideration to our neighbours but allowing us to trade and be able to host more performers to continue to deliver quality music that Folkestone so badly needs and richly deserves.”

In 2019, Folkestone was named as the world’s first ‘music town’, meaning the area has formally recognised music as an asset to boost economic growth, tourism, health and wellbeing.

But despite this, it has seen venues struggle to stay open.

Last year, customers were left “absolutely gutted” as The Chambers in Cheriton Place called it a day after 26 years, after struggling to recover post-lockdown.

Earlier this year, a duo’s hopes of boosting the town centre’s nightlife with a new rock bar were dashed amid fears over loud noise.

John Biggs and Simon Lock’s planning bid to bring The Dracula Parrot gig venue to Sandgate Road was refused despite receiving a license for live music and late-night alcohol sales, although the pair have now launched an appeal.