An events venue which hosted a raft of celebrity entertainers is on the market for £750k.

The former Victoria's Cabaret Club, in Harrietsham, has been listed on Rightmove after plans to turn it into five homes were refused.

The Ashford Road venue hosted the likes of Bernard Manning, Jim Davidson and Michael Barrymore before it closed in 2019.

It had entertained guests with a wide variety of shows since 1972, earning a reputation for wild, controversial and debauched nights.

In the 1990s its Naughty Naughty Nights, which used to include strippers and drag acts, were shelved after a raunchy photo from one of the events made headlines in the national press.

More recently though, it had become a go-to for hen parties.

However, due to “astronomical” running costs bosses behind the venue were forced to announce its closure, and, ultimately, the building's demolition to make way for new homes.

In 2021 an application was submitted by Heritage Designer Homes to demolish the existing nightclub building and build five, four-bedroom homes with associated parking, access and landscaping.

But this was refused in January 2022 due to the proposed development lying within the countryside.

Maidstone council’s planning officer stated the new builds would result in an “urbanising” of the area which would be “out of character with the rural locality”.

A revised application was submitted in December 2023 - this time for four, three-bedroom detached chalet-style homes.

The application, which is yet to be determined, explains the homes would be in a landscaped cul-de-sac, accessible from Ashford Road which connects Lenham to Harrietsham and links to the M20.

A spokesperson for the applicant says: “The proposed development is considered to provide a welcoming feature to the small hamlet that exists between Dickley Lane and Ashford Road.”

They argue that the cabaret club has no heritage significance, and therefore there was no reason to prevent its demolition.

The spokesperson added: “This proposed development is for much-needed smaller family homes that will cater to local needs.

“It will create a softer landscaped arrangement that puts landscaping in the foreground and buildings as the background.”

However, Lenham Parish Council requested the application be refused, saying its was in breach of Maidstone’s Local Plan not to build within the countryside.

It also argued that the local housing need had been met, with 242 new homes for Harrietsham and 1,155 earmarked for Lenham.

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A spokesman added: “As there is no evidence that the current use is not, or cannot be made viable, there is, therefore, no policy justification for the loss of this important local facility.”

A decision is yet to be made.

However, Victoria’s has been listed for £750,000 by the Sibley Pares Chartered Surveyors here.

The premises are being offered as a freehold, or by way of a new full repairing and insuring occupational lease.

Speaking at the time of the club’s closure, manager Kerry Guest, said: "It's devastating, I've been here 29 years and I've seen so many changes over that time - it's just been the best time.

"We've had a few famous faces, particularly during the 80s, and we've put on loads of charity events which I think have made a real difference to people.

"We have had many acts through our doors, some for just a one-night-only special and some who have supported us over the many years, giving endless nights of entertainment and we want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts."