Bar prepares to open with retro theme

A bar celebrating the 1970s, 80s and 90s is to open in Ashford town centre tomorrow (Friday).

The Rewind Bar is filling the former Auction House site following a massive redesign to convert it into a retro paradise.

Conceived before lockdown began, the pandemic has provided ample time for the idea to be fully realised.

Owner Wendy Richardson says Covid-19 has “made me focus on getting fully ready to open in August”.

“Originally the idea was for it to be a live 70s, 80s and 90s music bar, but because of Covid19 that’s not quite possible yet,” she said.

“In the meantime we’ll have some background music from the period and video projections to instil that atmosphere.”

Ms Richardson, 38, got the lease after being in a 1980s-themed band and having always dreamt of opening a bar dedicated to the decade.

This week’s launch isn’t what she had hoped for due to virus restrictions, so she’s hoping for a grander affair somewhere down the line.

The Godinton resident said: “We’re definitely going to try and get in an 80s band to come and launch it, but it’s very hard to know when we can do it.”

Supplying retro cocktails alongside the usual fare, the bar owner is hoping to create a welcoming and relaxed environment at the New Street spot.

She noted: “It’s not a club, it’s a bar. It’ll open until 1am, but I just want to create a friendly place where people can meet up and have a few drinks.”

Ms Richardson - who also runs a dance studio - is a qualified fitness instructor and aims to run fitness classes in the bar using music from her selected era.

The Rewind Bar is not the first drinking establishment to take up residence in the New Street unit, which is opposite the town’s First World War tank.

Former tenant the Auction House had its license revoked in 2017 after a series of glass attacks, with the venture reopening in May 2018 following renovation work.

The bar was then rebranded as Lot 7, but closed within a year.

This was followed by another hopeful, who restored the name the Auction House and heavily renovated and refurbished the building and garden.

Unfortunately by last July, this new iteration of the Auction House had also had to shut its doors.

To ensure social distancing is maintained, a booking system will be in place at the Rewind Bar for Friday and Saturday night.

Email hello@rewindbar.co.uk to request a place.

Pictures: Barry Goodwin Staff are looking forward to opening the site this week following a redesign of the former Auction House and Lot 7 nightspot

Bosses behind the venture are hoping to create a welcoming and relaxed environment at the New Street site

The site was previously home to the Auction House