TRADERS have welcomed plans to re-open a Kent town's only night club after it closed down 18 months ago.

Legends, above Burton’s the tailors in Sittingbourne High Street, has been leased to Higham-based night club worker Kevin Pearton, who plans to open it in the New Year with the new name of Life.

Borough councillors granted a public entertainment licence to Mr Pearton on November 29 and he plans to open it initially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings until 3am.

Norman Mount, chairman of Sittingbourne Retail Association, said: "We need entertainment in the town for young people and, providing it is conducted correctly, I can’t see any problem."

Jenny Honey, owner of News Plus newsagents in the High Street, said: "My view is that this is not a residential area and, as long as they don’t serve under-age drinkers, I can’t see it will affect me or other businesses. The kids need somewhere to go."

The club, which will be redecorated, will offer people aged over 21 a bar and a dance floor, with hot food and other refreshments.

Mr Pearton, 33, who currently works at Bar 24 in Gravesend, said: "Sittingbourne has got a reputation for quite a lot of trouble but we want to create a nice environment where people can come and enjoy themselves."

No date has been set for the opening yet but Mr Pearton said it would open once redecoration was finished.

Another Sittingbourne nightspot called Base, formerly Fat Sams, at the Bell shopping centre off the High Street, closed some time ago.

Legends nightclub will be reopening as Life