Proposals to let a town centre cocktail bar open until 3am have been rejected amid fears they would impact the “peace and quiet” of neighbours.

The Grapes in Gravesend wanted to extend the hours it could sell alcohol and play music on weekdays and Saturdays to meet customer demand.

Applicant Karwan Ali said he was not seeking “anything unusual”, stating that other bars and clubs in the town centre have similar operating times.

He asked Gravesham council to allow the venue to sell alcohol and play music until midnight Monday to Thursday, and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Its current licence allows it to play music until 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and sell alcohol until 11.30pm Monday to Thursday, 1am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm on Sundays.

Mr Ali said his customers wanted to see more flexibility in the opening times, and without it, his business would be affected.

He added: “We are very considerate of our neighbours, many of whom are regulars and supporters of our establishment.

“We pride ourselves on being a respectful and welcoming place for the community, and we value the positive relationship we have built with those living around us.

“I do want to stress that not being able to extend our hours as proposed would have a significant impact on the future of our business.”

However, the council’s environmental health team objected to the extension, claiming that it “would not be promoting the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance” and there was “little noise mitigation”.

Senior environmental health technician, Keith Moorhouse, said the premises, on the corner of Edwin Street and Milton Road, are far closer to a residential area than other bars and clubs in the area.

Responding, Mr Ali, who lives in Northfleet, said The Grapes already has procedures in place to ensure neighbours “are not disturbed,” such as security guards and stopping entry one hour before closing.

The application was discussed at a licensing panel meeting on September 23, and a decision has since been published.

The committee unanimously agreed to refuse the application as members believed the extended hours would “likely impact the peace and quiet” of those living nearby, as the bar is in a residential area.

They were also not satisfied that the application upheld the licensing objectives in relation to the prevention of public nuisance.

During the meeting, the environmental health team presented audio recordings from September 13 as part of a noise complaint, which also showed music being played after the bar’s licensed operating hours.

A community protection warning was issued, and since then, no complaints have been made.

Mr Ali apologised but explained that he was on holiday at the time and his staff were not aware that the extension had not yet been granted, which was why the volume was not lowered.

He and bar manager Emma Bennett said that they would both manage the music and train a third person to support them.

Despite this, and the venue’s plans to further minimise noise by limiting the number of people in the smoking area and investing in new glass, the application was dismissed.

This means the current licence and conditions will remain.

The Grapes, which was previously owned by Shepherd Neame, closed in 2022, but reopened a year later with new bosses who refurbished the venue with a bespoke bar, garden wall, ceiling and outdoor seating area.

It was also recently visited by KentOnline’s In The Mix reviewer.

She said it was a “really solid bar, making decent, interesting drinks on a budget”.