Bosses at a popular microbar were left stunned at the backlash to their bid for late-night openings and say it has all been a “big misunderstanding”.

Plans were submitted for Unit 1, located in the quiet hamlet of West Hythe, to stay open until the early hours for 15 days a year.

But the proposals sparked a flurry of objections from neighbours fearing disturbance from noisy punters, as well as Hythe Town Council.

Co-owner Kenza Bowman told KentOnline her “mouth dropped” when she saw the comments on Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s (FHDC) website in response to the plans.

She says they only want to stay open late on New Year’s Eve for a silent disco.

Ms Bowman said: “In order to have this one event until 1am you have to apply for all 15 [days]. But we are never going to do this!

“It has all been a big misunderstanding.

“We are not a nightclub! It’s not that vibe at all. Even the New Year’s Eve party will be a silent disco.

“We are here for the community, dog walkers and that kind of thing. We just submitted the application to go through all the correct channels.

“My mouth dropped when I saw some of the comments neighbours had made.”

Mrs P Dean, who lives close to the pub, strongly objected to the plans.

In a comment submitted to FHDC, she said: “This small hamlet is certainly not the right place for a late-night opening.

“A quiet rural community will surely be disturbed by noise and car doors slamming!”

Hythe Town Council objected to the extended opening hours “on the grounds of the potential noise and disturbance and the adverse effect this will cause on the local residents”.

Ms Bowman is one of four owners at Unit 1 and they have run the site since November 2019.

The pub is currently open till 7pm on weekdays and 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ms Bowman, who lives in Hythe, says she was “saddened” to read some of the comments and believes the pub is “respectful to their neighbours”.

“It is sad to see comments like this as I feel we are a quiet and respectful pub...”

She added: “It's really not that kind of place. The latest we’d ever open is till 11 and that is inside only.

“I can assure everyone that nothing is going to change.

“I had people coming up to me and saying they could not believe we were opening till 1am. I think everyone just got the wrong end of the stick.

“It is sad to see comments like this as I feel we are a quiet and respectful pub.”

In 2020, Unit 1 supported NHS and school staff by offering free coffee.

Ms Bowman, who also works for the NHS, said at the time that she “saw offers from bigger companies and I thought that we should do something too”.