By Hayley Robinson

The dream for a new nightclub in Sittingbourne is not over.

Businessman Steve Cross is to take legal advice after Swale council’s sub-licensing committee agreed to grant a new premises licence for the former Reeltime Cinema in Sittingbourne High Street provided the establishment closes at 5am Thursday to Saturday and 3am Sunday to Wednesday.

The licence is for plays, films, music, dancing and sporting events including wrestling and boxing.

The council received eight letters of support for the licence and one letter of objection from the council’s environmental health department.

Councillors approved the licence despite an application to convert the former town centre cinema into a nightclub being refused.

Mr Cross said before the plan can be progressed, planning approval is needed and he will be looking at the options.

"I am delighted with the decision of the licensing sub committee meeting to grant a premises licence for the former cinema for use as a club," he said.

"We had extensive discussions with the police and the environmental health officer prior to the application being submitted to ensure that the conditions we were proposing met all their concerns and clearly demonstrated our professional approach.

"The hours which have been granted mean that we do have the ability to develop something truly unique for Sittingbourne and Kent.

"I continue to believe that Sittingbourne is an ideal location for a high quality club and that the cinema is the right property."