Childhood friends see bar dream take shape
Maidstone’s nightlife is about to dance to a different beat with one pub getting ready to create a roof terrace and a new club opening.
The Brenchley, in High Street, has been given permission to open a terrace with bar and seating on the first floor, which would be arranged on the flat roof above the main pub building, around the skylight.
Currently people do not use the first floor, but under the plans the new terrace will have access to a converted indoor bar, dancefloor, DJ booth and toilets, based towards the front of the first floor.
The bar’s owners are also applying to alter the planning conditions so it can play music on the new level between 10am and 1am.
And in Lower Stone Street, Century Club is due to open next Saturday, November 14 in the building that used to house Rileys Sports Bar.
It will predominantly be a sports bar, boasting 14 HD television screens, and will also serve food and cocktails and host DJs.
The brains behind the venue are childhood friends Jordan Park, 27, and John Gilham, 28, who grew up across the street from each other in Plains Avenue, Shepway.
Mr Parks, who also runs a plant hire company, said: “We always said we’d open a business together and we saw the building was vacant, did some figures and thought we’d give it a go.
“We’ve gone for high- end screens that give the best possible picture. There are five lounge areas and wherever you sit you can see a TV screen but there are also areas where you can have a drink without watching them.
“We’re aiming to be the best sports bar in Maidstone.”
As well as the screens, which can show different football, rugby, boxing and other matches simultaneously, Century Club will have two projector screens, pool and snooker tables and dartboards.
In recent years the building was also snooker hall Suzy Q.
It comes as Strawberry Moons nightclub in Gabriel’s Hill prepares to open a rooftop garden and moonlit bar.
Thought to be the first of its type in Kent, it will give revellers the chance to dance the night away under the stars and is set to feature outdoor seating, a bar and a DJ booth.