A bid by one of a town’s last remaining live-music venues to stay open later has been backed by some residents – but others say drunk customers cause a “public nuisance”.

Ivy’s of Hythe has been a popular spot for fancy breakfasts since 2021 and in April this year began offering a tapas dinner menu with performances of jazz and reggae in the garden.

Some residents describe Ivy’s, which backs onto Bartholomew Street, as a “breath of fresh air” in the sleepy seaside town.

But as a new premises license for the restaurant comes up for consideration, council officers are considering neighbours’ complaints that the live shows are “intimidating” for “retired folk” living nearby.

Kim Lindsay, who works in Hythe and has visited Ivy’s many times, says the bistro is an important part of the town, especially for younger residents.

“Ivy’s has been a godsend for the town with their food and live music, especially now that The Globe - one of the only other pub/live music place in town - has closed,” said the 66-year-old.

“There are quite a few posh neighbours nearby, but Ivy’s is very discrete with their music and it livens up this end of the high street.

“Do not think that this is a place that is ruled by the older generation – because for the high street to survive, it has to cater for a younger generation and that is Ivy’s.”

Hythe resident Sharon Boorman echoed Ms Lindsay’s remarks, adding that over three decades of living in the area, she has sadly watched countless high street restaurants and bars close.

“It was a breath of fresh air when Ivy’s opened to give Hythe and its many visitors a new lease of life to the high street instead of having to go to Folkestone,” she said.

Under the eatery’s previous licence, it was able to open every day from 7.30am to 11pm and serve alcohol from 8am to 10.30pm.

The new proposed hours would see it open daily at 8am but stay open till 11pm Monday through to Wednesday, till 11.30pm on Thursdays and till midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It would shut at 10pm on Sundays.

Alcohol service would begin daily at 8am and end half an hour before closing time each day.

But Ivy’s chef and owner William Dunlop says the extended service hours are merely so that his staff would not need to hurry people as they are eating.

“In the summertime, we had live jazz vocalists performing for two hours on weekend evenings, but the music finishes at 9pm, said Mr Dunlop.

“We’d like to continue with the same operation as we have been doing – the extra hours are just so we don’t have to rush people out the door if they’re finishing their meals.”

On the Folkestone & Hythe District Council website, there are 27 residents’ comments in favour of the new proposals, with eight against them.

Among the objections is one from the council’s environmental health department, which recommends that the outdoor seating area be closed every night at 9pm.

“Our out-of-hours officers have witnessed noise deemed to be unreasonable on four occasions from this premises in the one year that we have been investigating,” the authority’s officers write.

“The noise witnessed has been from amplified music being played in the rear garden, and also loud voices from patrons both in the rear garden and on the street to the front of the premises.”

Nearby resident Steve Leach says the antics of those leaving the cafe have led some people living in the area to feel afraid.

“These evenings at the Ivy often conclude with inebriated customers spilling out of the restaurant and causing a public nuisance,” commented Mr Leach.

“In the past, fights have broken out accompanied by high-volume, foul language arguments.

“The quiet, safe road of largely retired folk, feel intimidated when accessing their front door, in some cases, only feet from the cafe/pub's property."

But it is not just older neighbours who have been distressed by the summer evening songs.

Young professionals Charlie Targett-Adams and Sabina Cehajic are also among the voices in opposition to the eatery being allowed to stay open later.

The pair say if it were to be, noise from the eatery would negatively impact their mental and physical health.

“I think the minority of Hythe residents simply cannot cope with the changes in Hythe...”

“The music is played at levels so loud that it is clearly heard some two roads away inside our property.

“It is, not, therefore, properly to be described as background music – it is much more akin to a live concert.

“We are young professionals who often start work early even on weekend mornings.

“If the music were allowed to resemble a nightclub until as late as midnight this would have a very detrimental effect on our mental and physical health through lack of sleep.”

Mr Dunlop says he had always followed the rules of his previous license and been respectful to neighbours.

We’ve never had bands or anything like that, – it’s easy listening to music you can listen to as you enjoy your dinner,” he said.

“I always try my best to please the neighbours. We follow the rules and we’ve got all signs up throughout the garden asking customers to be considerate.”

Neighbour Dominique Sweeney also added his comments: “I have enjoyed summer evenings with enjoyable live music on many occasions and am honestly shocked that anyone would actually ever complain.

“The music is delightful, soft and enjoyable and I have witnessed the staff adhere to the strict rules of all customers be out of the garden at or before 10pm.

“I would strongly oppose to Ivy’s having their license revoked, this would be such a shame for Hythe and people who are still enjoying life.

“At no point have I ever thought this business has ever caused unwanted characters or caused any trouble.

“I think the minority of Hythe residents simply cannot cope with the changes in Hythe. Which, quite frankly, is much needed for all to enjoy.”

The question of Ivy’s of Hythe’s opening and alcohol service hours will be decided at a meeting of Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s licensing subcommittee meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10am.