Residents have raised concerns about plans to hold boozy events in the basement of an old Kingston church.

The Secret Garden is set to open as a café in the basement of the former John Bunyan Baptist Church, in Kingston town centre, but also wants to hold events serving alcohol at night.

Kingston Council's Licensing Committee heard yesterday (Tuesday, 7 October) the venue would only open in the evenings and serve booze if it was holding an event, including live comedy and jazz nights.

It comes after the authority received 10 objections to the plans, with residents concerned drunk customers leaving the venue late at night would be noisy and loiter in the quiet neighbourhood, leading to antisocial behaviour.

Resident Ausra Kobayashi told the meeting she had an autistic son who needed quiet at night to settle, and she felt the venue would not be able to control noise from customers leaving events.

She said: "He will not be able to sleep at night. After that, he will not be able to go to school. Myself as well, as his carer, I will be sleepless at night."

Another objector wrote: "Our neighbourhood is a place where families raise children, older residents seek peace, and people come home after work to rest.

"This directly conflicts with this way of life. The late-night noise, traffic, and disturbances that naturally come with such a business would make it nearly impossible for residents to enjoy their homes in peace."

A third resident commented: "The proposed venue is located on a quiet residential street, home to many young families. Extending alcohol sales late into the night will inevitably increase noise from patrons leaving the premises, raised voices, and loitering often continuing well into the early hours and disturbing children's sleep."

But director Daniel MacLaren told the meeting the venue would not attract big, rowdy crowds as it was small and targeted at 'high-end' customers.

He said the café had a separate entrance on a busier road where the residents did not live, so they would not be disturbed by customers leaving events.

Mr MacLaren said: "It's a pure events space, a high-end events space which is not a nightclub, it's not a pub, it's not a bar. It's going to be high end and… any residents that want to come through are more than welcome at any time and actually have a look, and I hope that will put your minds at rest."

The venue would have permission to sell booze until 10.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays, and until 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, if the plans are approved. It would also be able to play music until 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The council's Licensing Committee will publish its decision on the plans in the coming days.