A pub landlord has decided to call time on a live music venue after what he claims has been constant interference from council officials.

Nick Maytum, who took over the Lobster Pot in Swan Street, West Malling, two and a half years ago, is set to close one of the town’s most popular pubs next weekend.

He said he made the tough decision after losing money for months as a result of restrictions imposed by Tonbridge and Malling council.

These included being forced to keep windows and doors closed at all times to keep the noise down.

He has been made to close the back garden due to complaints from neighbours, and had to employ door staff on Friday and Saturday nights at a cost of £200 a week. He was also told to employ extra bar staff.

The venue was slapped with a noise abatement order last year.

The 25-year-old said he had complied with every demand, but extra restrictions kept coming.

He said: “Basically, whatever I do I end up getting complaints. Every week that I have made money, they have then got me for something else.

“Everything I do to try to make money, they just say I can’t. It has cost us more money correcting everything they say.”

Mr Maytum, who lives in the town and has been managing clubs and pubs since he was 19, said he planned to have a closing day on Sunday, November 30, to coincide with the West Malling lights switch-on and Christmas Festival.

One regular said: “The Lobster Pot’s been one of the best places to go out in West Malling since Nick Maytum took over it.

“He turned it back into a real pub, with a genuine open, fun and friendly atmosphere. He’s also done more to bring live music to West Malling than anyone else. The place has become a hub for local musicians and hopefully we can continue playing in West Malling.”

The Maidstone and Mid-Kent Camra branch confirmed the pub’s future was “of concern”.

Jane Heeley, chief environmental health officer for the council, said she was disappointed Mr Maytum had not been in touch.

She added: “When licensing any premises, the council often has to strike a balance between encouraging a healthy, thriving night-time economy and ensuring that residents are not disturbed by noise.”

She said a meeting had taken place in September following the issuing of the noise abatement notice in July 2013.

Measures were agreed to enable the pub to continue to offer live music and to reduce the impact on neighbours.

Ms Heeley said: “We are very keen to support business growth and urge all business operators to talk to us when they find the improvements we may be asking for seem to be adversely affecting their profitability.”