A new “European-style café bar” is set to open in Sandwich after plans were given the green light by councillors.

The Old Pharmacy in King Street was granted an alcohol licence by Dover District Council yesterday, with applicant Pierre Ayers promising his venture will help the town centre become a “little bit more upmarket”.

A hearing was held after fears were raised by Rachel Collins, who said her home had already been impacted by the “parking, litter, smoke, refuse, arguing and fighting, and music” generated by another nearby premises.

She said: “I made an objection to the application based on my concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour to local residents, of which I am one.

“I live in the property next door but one, and I’m just concerned this won’t be a case of alcohol served with meals.

"It will be a bar and, as such, it will be quite noisy. This would interrupt my daily life and ability to sleep and so on.”

She also claimed the outside drinking area was “just metres from the back bedroom” she sleeps in if the other bar is making too much noise.

But the applicant told councillors that other residents have been “extremely supportive” of the proposal.

“We will not be serving cheap alcohol so there will be no drunkenness or poor behaviour..." - Pierre Ayers

The business is aiming to attract “families and the mature customer” by offering something different to the "traditional, old-fashioned" pubs in the town.

Mr Ayers said the majority of drink orders would be served with meals at the “European-style café bar”, with complimentary canapés also offered as part of a “more responsible way of serving alcohol”.

He added: “We will not be serving cheap alcohol so there will be no drunkenness or poor behaviour.

“We will closely monitor our customers’ behaviour as part of our legal obligations and the licensing objectives, and the business isn’t aimed at the kind of clientele who would behave poorly anyway.”

The business will open daily at 11am and close at 5pm Mondays to Wednesdays, 9pm from Thursdays to Saturdays, and 4pm on Sundays. There are currently no plans to extend the trading hours.

All three members of the licensing sub-committee supported the application, although they added a condition which prevents drinks from being taken outside at the front of the café bar.

Mr Ayers concluded: “We understand locals may be concerned with noise, but the fact we’ve only had one representation is testament to the fact we tried to engage with local residents and businesses.

“We have been mindful of not wanting to cause any nuisance when putting together our business plan and our proposed opening times, which we genuinely believe won’t impact local people adversely.”

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