The owner of a new bar has urged people to “love your local” and help a town’s regeneration.

Green Duck Tap Room is now open in Ely Court, Tunbridge Wells.

Owner Matt Elesmore says opening day was very successful, with Tunbridge Wells Fringe Festival providing drinkers with free entertainment.

He told KentOnline: “We are currently working with Royal Victoria Place to try and regenerate that area, which hasn’t had any love for a couple of years.

“The hope is that in the coming weeks there will be some more food businesses that will pop up.

“We want to create a hub or hive of sorts.

“The town needs some love and we are desperately trying to do that.”

The 33-year-old, from Paddock Wood, is a stage manager by trade and previously ran pantomimes at the Assembly Hall Theatre.

“The Green Duck was born out of lockdown,” he explained.

“I was unable to work, so I opened a shop on Grosvenor Road.

“My parents have had stores for years in the West Country – selling homeware and interiors – so I thought I would give it a go up here.

“From there we have just grown and grown.”

Green Duck now has three venues in the town, including an events space in Grosvenor Road, a shop in Royal Victoria Place and tap room in Ely Court.

Matt’s new venure will join cafe and record store Even Flow, which opened in January.

The bar is set to provide “good beer, good food and good times”, as well as a variety of entertainment.

Quiz nights, live music and DJs have already been planned.

Prices for a draft pint range from £5.60 to £6.90, with a half pint starting at £2.80.

Ciders cost £5.60 for a pint and £5 a bottle.

“We have 12 beers on tap that aren’t mainstream,” Matt added.

“We try and use independent brewers, ranging from stuff that comes from America to Pig & Porter which is a mile up the road.”

Despite opening another venue, Matt urges the public to support their local and independent businesses.

In January last year it was announced that Central Market Ltd, which ran a food hall and rented space in Ely Court, would be dissolved.

It was a major blow and left a number traders in the dark over the future of the area.

Matt said: “The main message we want to get across at the moment is that you need to use these facilities and the local shops – otherwise you are going to lose them.

“It’s become very expensive to run a business, for example my electric bill has gone up by about £10,000 in the last three months.

“I know multiple people in Tunbridge Wells who are on the brink of going under.”

The bar launched on Saturday, May 27, and will be open five days a week.

Its trading hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 4.30pm to 11pm, Fridays 2pm to 11pm, Saturdays 12pm to 11pm, and Sundays 2pm to 8pm.