Controversial private high-end club for members gets additional opening hours

A controversial “high-end” private club has been given permission to extend its opening hours, but Club Quantum has rejected suggestions it will become a “late-night party house”.

The club will welcome its first members in the coming weeks to its plush premises on the edge of one of the county’s most famous shopping streets, and promises the best WiFi and brandy around. The bar, which faces Tunbridge Wells’ historic Pantiles shopping street, is in a block of 127 flats built on the site of a derelict 1960s office block in the town centre.

As part of the redevelopment of the eyesore, commercial use was approved, but a controversial application to extend the new club’s opening hours and alcohol license worried local residents, leading the owners to insist it was “not a strip club”. The chic private club – where individual membership costs between £145 and £185 a month – is touted as a place where “entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives can work, socialise, entertain and relax”.

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At the end of last year, the bar was initially granted a license to serve alcohol and play music. Originally, the bar was allowed to open every day except Sunday from midday, Monday to Wednesday until 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday until 11 p.m., and Saturday until 11.30 p.m.

The exclusive club, which is yet to open, had not originally applied to be allowed to open and serve alcohol on Sundays, but on February 27 this year the owners submitted an application to be allowed to open that Sunday as well, from 10am to 7pm. But the application angered neighbours and the Pantiles Residents’ Association of The Potteries, a housing complex being built on the site.

They expressed a “feeling of betrayal” in view of the changes in the planned club operations and feared “constant background music”.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee met earlier this week (July 2) to discuss the changes with residents, property owners and councillors in attendance. Liam Hopper, co-owner of the company, told those present: “We started this process a year ago when we signed the lease.”

He said the club was designed as a place “to provide these entrepreneurs with a place to come together and work.” Mr Hopper further explained that the front part of the building, including the outdoor seating, will be a public bar and cafe, while the rest of the space will be reserved for the private members’ club.

There will also be a reception and you can log in with membership cards. Co-owner Dani Ćolić said they were inspired to start the business because “it was actually quite difficult to find a place to work that had high-end internet with extra secure WiFi, good coffee and cognac.”

Mr Hopper added: “We will be engaging a reputable and licensed security company to start at our doors on Fridays from 7pm to 11pm and Saturdays from 7pm to 11.30pm.”

He also explained that in December they applied for a seasonal exemption that would allow them to open until 11pm most nights and until 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays for events.

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

“We will not use the premises for weddings, parties, etc.”

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

“Residents are not against a thriving business community, many of us are business owners ourselves, but the lack of transparency surrounding the changes to this licence application has caused significant concern and a sense of betrayal among residents,” he said.

He and other neighbors say they were notified of the original license application last year, but no one told them about the planned changes in hours and deviations in December.

Mr Warman added: “The increased activity at the club could cause ongoing disturbance to local 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 moved at some point.

“This would be a significant inconvenience, particularly for families with young children who need a quiet place to sleep. Progress must be made in a way that takes into account existing residents and their wellbeing.”

Resident Jackie Stanton echoed similar sentiments, adding: “I am concerned about the lack of communication. I have heard more in the last half hour today than I have in the last year, which suggests a communication problem with residents.”

“I am also concerned about the long-lasting noise level in the evenings in December.”

In a statement on behalf of the residents’ association chairman, Michael Painter, she proposed ordering a review of the license after a year to see how it is performing.

However, the chairman of the hearing, Councillor David Hayward (independent), said: “You can’t just order a retrospective review just because you want to – there would have to be a problem.”

After deliberations, the panel decided to grant the license, but added the condition that from Wednesday to Sunday, when opening after 9 p.m., the outdoor seating and tables must be “rendered unusable”, which was proposed by the owners themselves.

After the meeting, Mr Hopper told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Today we have achieved the fairest and best result.

“We will be open late, this is not a strip club or a party venue with DJs that are open late.

“We asked to be open on Sundays between 10am and 7pm, which is not unreasonable.”

Ms Ćolić added: “We will communicate openly with the residents, we have always been ready to do so.

“We are planning an unofficial opening in July and then the grand opening.”