‘New live music venue opposite our flats will make every day a nightmare!’ – Kent Online

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Elderly residents at a retirement complex fear “every day will become a nightmare” if a live music venue opens directly opposite.
Those living in Grace Court in Folkestone town centre say the prospect of late-night music and “people drinking on the street” is making them “incredibly anxious”.
It comes as a licensing application has been submitted for 11 Grace Hill, which was formerly home to popular dive bar The Harp Restrung.
Now, London-based applicants Gail 1 Limited want to reopen the venue and call it the Old Harp Club.
Bosses have requested to sell alcohol on- and off-site and have music playing as late as 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays – and to stay open till 2am on weekends.
But residents at Grace Court – a block of flats for the over-65s across the street from the proposed venue – say the move would severely impact their quality of life.
Desiree Gillard, 78, has lived there for just over five years and suffers from long Covid and insomnia.
“I already struggle to sleep, and the noise from the nearby Wetherspoons can be unbelievable at times,” she said.
“But this will be directly opposite us. The thought of late-night music and people drinking on the street until the early hours makes me so anxious.
“This is our home – for 27 vulnerable residents – and we deserve to feel safe here.
“If this application is approved, that sense of safety will disappear. Every day will become a nightmare.”
The Harp Restrung was an alternative dive bar with a loyal following where many local bands took to the stage. It shut four years ago amid the Covid pandemic.
Despite its popularity, boasting a 4.3 rating on Tripadvisor before closing, many Grace Court residents say the return of a live music venue is inappropriate.
Lily Woodfield, 77, who moved to the complex two years ago, said she is “terrified” of reliving an unhappy period of her past.
“When I lived in London, I had really noisy neighbours and it made my life miserable,” she told KentOnline.
“I suffer from depression, and noise triggers my anxiety.
“Traffic I can live with, but this? This would be too much.
“I love it here – it’s quiet, and I feel settled. But if this goes through, I think I would have to move.”
Pat Garlick, 79, has lived at the site since 2021 and was widowed last year.
Her bedroom directly faces the proposed venue.
“I sleep with the window open, but I won’t be able to anymore,” she said.
“I haven’t slept well since losing my husband, and this will make things worse.
“I created a memorial garden for him, and I don’t want loud music, drunk people and shouting outside my window every night.
“That space is sacred to me.”
According to residents, the vast majority of those living at Grace Court have submitted formal objections to the licence bid.
Under the application, alcohol sales and music would also be permitted from 11am to 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday. Opening hours would be until midnight on weekdays.
A decision is expected to be made on the application by Folkestone & Hythe District Council by May 20.
Efforts made by KentOnline to contact Gail 1 Limited for a comment were unsuccessful.
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