Bosses determined to bring a new nightclub to a Kent town centre have revealed plans to open the venue in a long-empty restaurant previously earmarked for flats.

It is the third location identified by Dominic Browne and his business partners for the proposed DJB Nightclub, a live music venue in Ashford.

He has turned his attention to the long empty Po Thai restaurant and former Downtown Diner unit in Park Street, having submitted a planning application to Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

Mr Browne is currently waiting for the landlord of the unit, which is next to McDonald's and has been shut for two years, to accept his bid.

The building - which is close to The Panorama apartments and Ashford’s Wetherspoons – was set to be converted into seven units after proposals were put to ABC in June 2022.

But a decision on the scheme was never made due to an environmental issue at Stodmarsh Nature Reserve which has been stalling housing developments across the county for years.

This delay to the scheme – submitted by applicant Oruc Gurkan – led to the empty restaurant going back on the market for £550,000 in August.

The sales advert says the property would suit another restaurant or similar uses within use class E.

The application for the homes is still active on ABC’s website. But the second application for the night spot is now active too.

Mr Browne, who recently moved to Kent from Hertfordshire, previously told KentOnline he wants to give young people in Ashford “a nightlife they have never seen before”.

Once the right location is confirmed, Mr Browne says DJB Nightclub, which would double up as a community space, could be open as soon as April and big-name artists have already been lined up to perform.

It is set to create 46 new jobs and could be open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. While the venue is only planned to be open for club nights two days a week, there are plans to expand its offerings at other times.

The 22-year-old initially submitted plans to open the nightclub in Elwick Place, below the Travelodge, but withdrew the application over concerns for the hotel and the size of the unit.

He then looked at opening in the now vacant Tile Giant unit in Mace Lane but said landlords were not on board with the idea.

When the initial plans were submitted for the unit in Elwick Place, residents welcomed the news saying the venue could bring much-needed footfall to the town.

Ashford used to be home to several nightclubs – including Liquid in East Hill and M20 at Eureka Park. But, like in most towns across the county, that number has dwindled.

Cameo, near the railway station, is all that’s left.

Mr Browne previously said: “At the moment there is only one nightclub in Ashford and I want to give young people a nightlife they have never seen before.

“After visiting other nightclubs nearby I wasn't happy with the experience so it drove me to want to provide a better service for people.

“Young people at the moment are having to go to Canterbury for nights out and parents will feel happier knowing that their children are local and not having to make a long return journey at night from another town.”