A “high-end” private members’ club has denied suggestions it will be a “late night party house” after winning approval to expand its hours of operation.

Club Quantum is promising good “Wi-fi, coffee and cognac” when it welcomes members to its plush venue on the edge of one of the county’s most famous shopping streets in the coming weeks.

The bar, which sits opposite the historic Pantiles shops parade in Tunbridge Wells, is housed within a block of 127 flats built to replace a rundown 1960s office block in the town centre.

Business use was approved as part of the eyesore’s redevelopment but a controversial application to extend the new club’s opening hours and alcohol licence has concerned residents living on-site, prompting its owners to clarify it “is not a strip club”.

The swish private members club - where individual memberships range from £145-£185 a month - is billed as a space for “entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives to work, socialise, host and relax”.

It had initially obtained a licence to serve alcohol and play recorded music late last year.

Originally, the venue was permitted to open from midday every day except Sunday, opening until 7pm Monday to Wednesday, until 11pm Thursdays and Fridays, and until 11.30pm on Saturdays.

The exclusive club, which is not yet open, did not initially apply to open and serve booze on Sundays, however on February 27 this year the owners put in an application to open then as well, from 10am to 7pm.

But the application has angered neighbours and The Pantiles Residents’ Association at The Potteries, a development of homes built on-site.

They expressed “a sense of betrayal” at the changes to the club’s planned operation, fearing a "constant background noise of music”.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee met earlier earlier this week (July 2), to discuss the changes with residents, the owners and local councillors present.

Liam Hopper, co-owner of the business, told those attending: “We started this process going on a year ago when we took the lease.”

He said the club was envisioned as a place “to give those entrepreneurs somewhere to go and co-work.

Mr Hopper further explained the front part of the building, including outside seating, will be a public bar and cafe, with the private members’ club in the rest of the space.

It will also host a reception desk and membership cards will be used to tap-in.

Fellow owner Dani Ćolić said they were inspired to start the business because finding somewhere to work which had “high end internet with extra secure Wi-fi, good coffee and cognac was actually quite difficult”.

Mr Hopper added: “We’ll be appointing a reputable and licensed security company and they’ll be starting on our doors on a Friday night from 7pm-11pm, and Saturday from 7pm-11.30pm.”

He also explained they were applying for a seasonal variation in December, allowing them to open until 11pm most nights, and 11.30pm Fridays and Saturdays for events.

“We have had local businesses who are very interested in using the space for co-working events, networking events,” Mr Hopper said.

“We will not be using the space for weddings, parties and so on.”

However, Dominic Warman, speaking on behalf of the residents’ association, said they were “deeply concerned” about the plans for the club.

“The residents are not opposed to a thriving business community, many of us are business owners ourselves, but the lack of transparency surrounding the changes to this licensing application has caused residents significant worry and a sense of betrayal,” he said.

He and other neighbours say they were alerted about the original licence application last year but nobody told them about the planned changes to opening hours and variations in December.

Mr Warman added: “The increased activity at the club could translate to a constant disruption for residents.

“Imagine the constant background noise of music, loud conversations spilling out onto our street, patrons smoking outside at night and the clatter of tables and chairs being rearranged at some point.

“This would be a significant nuisance especially for families with young children who need a peaceful place to sleep.”

“Progress must happen in a way that considers existing residents and their wellbeing.”

Resident Jackie Stanton expressed similar sentiments, adding: “I am concerned by the lack of communication.

“I’ve heard more today in the last half hour or so than I have in the last year which suggests a problem communicating with residents.

“I’m also concerned about long periods of evening noise in December.”

Reading a statement on behalf of the residents’ association’s chair Michael Painter, she suggested a review of the licence should be called after a year to see how it’s working.

However, chair of the hearing Cllr David Hayward (Independent) said: “You can't put in place a review down the line just because you want one – there would have to be an issue.”

This is not a strip club, this is not a late night party house with DJs

After deliberations, the panel decided to grant the licence, but added in a condition that from Wednesday to Sunday, when open after 9pm the outside seating and tables must be “rendered unusable,” which was proposed by the owners themselves.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Hopper told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The fairest and best outcome has come out of today.

“We are going to be opening late nights, this is not a strip club, this is not a late night party house with DJs.

“We have asked to be open on a Sunday between 10am and 7pm, this is not unreasonable.”

Ms Ćolić added: “We will have an open communication with the residents, we always have been willing to.

“We’re looking to do a soft opening within July and then our grand opening following that.”­