A PROPOSED seafront nightclub in Herne Bay has been welcomed as a boost to the town’s night-time economy.

Kent company Dancedeal has submitted a plans to turn the first floor of 55 Central Parade, above Neptunes Arcade, into a nightclub.

The premises, which belong to Chamber of Commerce president Michael Khoury, were originally earmarked as a children’s indoor play centre – a gap in the town’s market which has since been filled.

Mr Khoury said: “We applied to turn it into a play centre then the recession hit and put a stop to that.

“Since then I have been waiting for the right opportunity to come along and I believe this is it.”

A spokesman for Dancedeal confirmed the company had submitted a planning application to Canterbury City Council and was also in negotiations over the lease of the space.

He said: “Until that application goes before the city council and the lease is finalised we are not prepared to say too much.

“We can confirm we do intend to develop the site as a nightclub catering for the slightly older age group.”

Mr Khoury revealed that it was his intention to make it a condition of the lease that the premises catered for over-21s only.

He said: “It is going to be a high class establishment. It won’t be catering for binge drinkers. I will set the standard they will have to support through the terms of the lease.

“I thought about doing this myself but I think in Dancedeal I have found the right people.”

Town co-ordinator Chris West welcomed the news and said: “I think this will be an attraction that will bring people in from other areas. This positive effect on the town can only be a benefit.

“We also want to encourage people from Herne Bay to support local businesses and this will help enable them to do that instead of travelling to Canterbury, Maidstone or other places.”