A popular pub which closed abruptly less than three weeks ago is set to reopen its doors under new management.

The Lobster Pot in Swan Street, West Malling, shut up shop on Sunday, November 30 – the day of the West Malling Christmas Festival – after landlord Nick Maytum decided to call time following more than a year of wrangles over noise complaints.

But in a sudden turn of events, new management will open it again with a launch tonight.

The move, organised by owners Punch Taverns, was swiftly put together, after new owner Dan Stares, who has experience of running pubs round the county and beyond, was approached on Monday.

With new manager Laura Frankham, who had been running a pub and nightclub in Chatham, they will reopen at 5pm, with a DJ between 8pm and midnight.

Mr Stares said they would be visiting neighbouring properties individually to liaise about noise, to avoid the complaints which had dogged the previous management.

“We want to give people the pub they want without upsetting local residents,” he said. "Punch wanted to bring the pub back to the people of West Malling.

“We want to encourage the community down and meet them.” He added that noise levels would be closely monitored.

New furniture was being delivered yesterday, but a major refit is expected early next year.

Due to the short notice of the relaunch, there was no time to refurbish the building beforehand.

Miss Frankham added it was an exciting time, although the opening had been arranged at speed. “It is a challenge, but I’m really looking forward to it,” she said.

The pub, which had firmly established itself as a live music venue, will also have a manager in charge of music events.

The establishment had been served with a noise abatement order by Tonbridge and Malling council under previous landlord Mr Maytum last summer.