A husband and wife team are set to open a new Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar in Folkestone .

Rosemont is destined for Majestic Parade, on the corner of Sandgate Road and Castle Hill Avenue - in the unit formerly occupied by long-running chinese restaurant, Hop Kweng, which closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .

It will be run by Mujde and Onder Erdogan, who say it has been their dream to open such a restaurant.

Mrs Erdogan said: "We are opening a Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar. My husband and I have been dreaming about opening it.

"We want to make it to a high standard - something you would see in London. We want to make it very special.

"We think it will be a great look for the area, something really fresh that will benefit everyone."

Mr and Mrs Erdogan also own Folkestone Kebab & Pizza House, also in Majestic Parade, and Radiance Clinic, in Shellons Street.

They purchased the new restaurant in July and submitted plans for Rosemont to Folkestone and Hythe District Council's (FHDC) planning team later that month.

Plans include upgrading the windows, which are rotting in places, adding a full width fixed canopy to the exterior, transforming inside and installing outside seating and tables.

Folkestone Town Council, Kent County Council's highways and Environmental Health submitted no objections to the plans.

However neighbours raised concerns over increased noise and disturbance from the outdoor seating - as well as it causing an obstruction -, light pollution, increased illegal parking and the outdoor seating's proximity to the bus stop, which could be 'intimidating for users'.

The consultees also said there was 'already noise and antisocial behaviour' from the nearby kebab shop.

One objector said: "We do not feel that the proposed outside seating would be appropriate in what is essentially a West End residential area.

"If this application were to be granted it will add to the huge anti-social problem we the residents of The Leas suffer every weekend, from highly intoxicated people, leaving premises in the area that sell alcohol till 1.30am."

But the scheme was given the go-ahead by FHDC subject to conditions.

This includes closing the windows and removing the outdoor tables and chairs at 10pm "in order to safeguard the amenity of residents".

In addition, no music should be played externally to the seating area.

Mrs Erdogan, from Densole, said: "I do understand the concerns, but they're mostly about the outdoor seating, which will end at 10pm.

"We are so pleased the council has approved it. We're very excited and happy, and looking forward to opening."

Some work has already started on the project, and the duo hope to open before Christmas.

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