PLANS to open a table dancing club have renewed fears of a Soho-style district developing in a Kent town.

Shots Ltd has applied for a public entertainment licence at 84-85 Bank Street, Maidstone, where it wants to open an adult-themed bar catering for about 200 people.

The site is fronted by the former Pineworld furniture store and bespoke cabinet makers Andrew Interiors Ltd and the proposed opening hours are 10am to midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 2am, on Friday and Saturday.

The licence bid comes 18 months after the opening of an Ann Summers shop in Week Street, and the launch of pole dancing nights at the former Union bar in Pudding Lane.

Speaking last year, Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe (Con) claimed parts of Maidstone would become like London’s sex capital Soho, unless the spread of adult entertainment venues was halted.

Ms Widdecombe is backing police and town centre chiefs in lodging objections to the latest plans.

She said: “I stand by what I said last time. There is the risk of Maidstone becoming the same sort of place Soho became to London.

That is not the sort of character we want for Maidstone. It will alter the nature of the county town.”

Maidsafe spokesman and town centre manager Bill Moss said: “This would be a thoroughly undesirable addition to the town’s nightlife. Bank Street is already close to saturation point with bars and clubs and there are problems with so many in a small area.”

Maidstone and Malling Police Area Commander Supt Mark Salisbury also raised concerns.

He said: “It is fair to say these premises would present unique challenges.”

No one from Maidstone-based Shots Ltd was willing to comment.