Two friends are about to see a dream they held since childhood come to fruition with the creation of a new bar.

Century Club is due to open in Lower Stone Street in just under a week - on Saturday November 12.

It will predominantly be a sports bar, boasting 14 HD television screens, and will also serve food and cocktails and host DJs.

The brains behind the venue are childhood friends Jordan Park, 28, and John Gilham, 27, who grew up across the street from each other in Plains Avenue, Shepway.

Mr Parks, who also runs a plant hire company, said: “We always said we’d open a business together and we saw the building was vacant, did some figures and thought we’d give it a go.

“We’ve gone for high-end screens that give the best possible picture. There are five lounge areas and wherever you sit you can see a TV screen but there are also areas where you can have a drink without watching them.

“We’re aiming to be the best sports bar in Maidstone.”

As well as the screens, which can show different football, rugby, boxing and other matches simultaneously, Century Club will have two projector screens, pool and snooker tables and dartboards.

In recent years the building was home to Rileys Sports Bar and snooker hall Suzy Q.

The bar, at 30-32 Lower Stone Street, will be officially open from noon, on November 12.