A “vacant and deteriorating” former high street bank is set to become a bar and restaurant.
The landlord of the former Lloyds in Faversham stressed they could have turned the building into “a vape shop or a charity shop in minutes,” but instead waited years to find a business that would “enhance” the town.
Time and Tide Brewing applied to Swale Borough Council (SBC) to operate from the Court Street premises in June.
The brewery was seeking to open from 8am -11pm Monday-Saturday, and 9am -10.30pm on Sundays.
Additionally, they wanted a licence to sell alcohol from the site from midday until 11pm Monday-Saturday, and until 10.30pm on Sundays.
At a meeting of SBC’s licensing committee on July 31, director Paul Campling said the venue would be “a premium food and craft beer space”.
They also plan to serve “traditional Neapolitan pizza, and will focus on modern, Kentish craft beer.”
“Faversham has a strong hospitality scene and we’re not looking to replicate or disrupt that,” he added.
“It’s about something that is different to what is in Faversham.”
The brewing firm already has a taproom at its brewery site in Eastry, and a taphouse on Delf Street in Sandwich.
Mr Campling stressed “the place itself will be respectfully restored – the building is beautiful, it’s a grade II-listed property.
“It’s been vacant and deteriorating for the past three years since Lloyd Bank left the premises.
“We’ll bring it back to life through design, modern comfort, bespoke tiling, wallpaper, furnishings all in keeping with the building’s heritage and surroundings, nothing loud or garish.”
Campbell Forsyth, owner and landlord of the massive building, also attended the meeting, telling the committee: “We’ve tried very hard over three years to try find the right type of partner who has the right type of business to enhance Faversham.
“We could rent this out for much less money in investment to a vape shop or a charity shop in minutes, but what we’ve done is worked very hard to find a partner who will enhance the area.”
Prior to the meeting, six letters of objection and three of support were sent to SBC.
Alex Wren, of Court Street, wrote to the committee fearing additional noise and disruption from customers.
“Faversham, a town with a small population, has experienced a proliferation of cafes and restaurants emerging in the last few years,” he added.
Joan Whitfield, who lives opposite the building, wrote: “There is a walkway between Court Street and Middle Row which on occasions on different festivals and events is used as a urinal and vomiting area.
“To have this happen on a regular basis would be awful because we are the ones who clean the mess up.”
However, at the meeting Mr Campling stated: “we’re not opening a high volume pub, pursuing late night drinking or loud entertainment.
“This is a calm, food-led venue with a focus on quality, service and responsible operation.”
After about half an hour of deliberation, SBC’s licensing panel agreed to grant the licence.
