A new town centre cocktail and wine lounge is due to open today.

Sherlocks will start trading at 4pm, serving made-to-order cocktails, Chapel Down wines, draught lager and Mortimers Orchard cider.

The lounge has taken over what was Rob's Traditional Greengrocery in West Street, Sittingbourne, opposite The Golden Hope.

Leon Dawson, one of the directors, who also runs Lang's near Sittingbourne railway station, said: "With Lang's, it's more of a weekend venue, more of a nightclub, open until 2.45am.

"We felt there was more trade for us to do in town, especially with cocktails. With Sherlocks, we'll have more time with the smaller venue to put the extra time and details in."

The 28-year-old, who lives in Sittingbourne, added: "Inside, it's got red walls, dimmed lights, background music and tables.

"The town needs something that's a bit more classy, with a more relaxed atmosphere for the start of people's night, rather than the end of it.

"It's needed, as well, as it will bring more people to that part of the town and, hopefully, the other pubs will benefit from the added trade as much as we do.

"That end of town is busy, you've got Wetherspoons, Ypres Tavern, Donna's Ale House and the like. Having so many bars there will work well, we won't be rivalling them – offering something new will help bring more people to the town and everyone can have a serving of the cake."

When asked why it's called Sherlocks, Leon said: "It was random really. We've got artwork on the walls and it looks classy. Sherlocks was a posh-sounding name so we went for that."

He added: "We'd like to thank Kent Trade Frames for our shop front, NPR Carpentry for kitting out inside and everyone for their support. We look forward to meeting all our customers now."

Sherlocks fits about 40 people, has a smart-casual dress code and is for over 21s. It will be open from 4pm to 11pm Thursday to Saturday.

Tomorrow night, Matt Brooks will be performing from 7-9pm.

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