A popular cocktail bar has been granted a licence to play music outside during the late hours, despite an allegation drug dealing is taking place around the premises.

The Zoo cocktail bar in Maidstone, owned by Christopher Dyer, applied for an extension to its current licence to play live and recorded music outside until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However strong objections were made to the proposal, with most claiming noise disturbance from the venue affects local business and congestion from the bar impacts road safety.

In one objection to the plans Charles Mann even claimed drug dealing takes place around the premises: “The customers (and staff) are already using the arch ways to exchange drugs.

“As well as the security not being able to deal with the premises as it is, they are relying on the assistance of others' doorstaff to take control of their custom.

“Which is very important as the police are required at the Zoo bar almost every weekend without fail.

“Working in a premises along the street we have on many occasions had to shut our door and keep our staff and customers in until the police have said it is acceptable to use the road again due to incidents in the outside area of Zoo bar.”

Despite these objections no formal incident has been recorded at the premises and Kent Police didn’t raise an objection or comment on the application.

But in July KentOnline reported how police arrested two men after a disturbance at the venue, with officers later issuing a CCTV appeal, while women were filmed brawling in the street outside the venue last year.

In conclusion Maidstone Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee said there was little evidence to suggest “Police presence was regularly required at the premises”.

Maidstone Borough Council’s Community Protection Team also raised objections to the noise level outside, however a solicitor from the venue has confirmed a noise level has been agreed with the council.

A noise expert, Adam Brown, has also installed a noise limiter at the premises and the Community Protection Team withdrew their objection.

The council also noted that despite objections to the noise level, no noise complaints had been made against the venue, and comments against the bar appeared to be “generic and duplicated”.

Last month another Maidstone bar, Century Club, had its licence restricted after a stabbing outside saw an 18-year-old seriously injured. The fight involved customers who had recently left the bar.

Maidstone Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to give the bar its new licence on Tuesday, November 2.

Zoo bar has been approached for a comment.

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