From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Lennon, 6 October 2023.

The Goat House bikers’ social club opens in former Cherry Tree pub, Dover.

A group of bikers have been allowed to run a social club in a former pub - despite fears "excessive noise" would keep residents up at night.

The "Goat House" opened in Dover in July, filling the former "Cherry Tree" in London Road which later became a William Hill betting shop.

The Baphomet Motorcycle Club, which operates the site, applied to Dover District Council for a club premises certificate in the hope of serving alcohol and showing motorcycle-themed films.

The application was approved on Tuesday - despite two opponents fearing noise would break the sleep of nearby residents.

Richard Diamond, a landlord of a flat behind the historic building, said in a letter to Dover District Council’s licensing sub-committee that his current tenant "would certainly leave if her sleep was impacted".

"I think it is unlikely that I would be able to rent it out again or sell it," he wrote.

"I don’t imagine anyone would want to live there if the application went ahead.”

Alex Robinson, from the neighbouring flat, feared the club would cause "excessive noise and negatively affect my ability to sleep".

He added: “I have concerns as to where members will park motorcycles as the only option that will be available is to block either the highway or footpath, causing nuisance to local residents.”

The application came under the name of Leigh Vickers, president of the Baphomet Motorcycle Club, who offered a concession to the committee of reducing hours.

He had originally applied to show films, play recorded music, serve alcohol and stay open until 2am on any day of the week.

Mr Vickers offered instead to stop serving alcohol and showing films at 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights and 11.30pm on remaining nights.

The Goat House club member Matt Cook, left, and Leigh Vickers, applicant for the club licence.

Music will only be played from 11pm until 1.30am Friday and Saturday nights, and between 11am and 11.30pm on remaining nights.

The licence was granted with this as one condition.

Mr Vickers told the sub-committee that gatherings will only be once a week and for up to 40 people. These would be club members and their signed-in guests.

He said there will be soundproofing and in any case there will be background music that will not be at a volume above speaking level, so not heard outside.

CCTV will also be installed for security, while a neighbouring taxi service will also allow club bikes to be parked at its front yard.

The entrance to The Goat House club in London Road, Dover.

After the hearing Mr Vickers told KentOnline: “There was a restriction on the hours but that's perfectly acceptable.

“This purely is just a social club where people can meet up and have a drink and a chat so noise and music is not going to be a problem."

The building was originally the "Cherry Tree Inn," established in 1742.

It literally had a cherry tree in the back garden and "Cherry Tree" Lane – now Cherry Tree Avenue – was close by.

Cockfighting took place there in the 18th century and it was used for inquests in the 19th century.

One in 1837 looked at the tragic drowning of a woman and her two-year-old grandson on the River Dour nearby at Buckland Mill.

The pub became the "Kingfisher" in 2006 and later William Hill.

The "Cherry Tree" was a landmark as the largest pub in that densely populated area.

Today the outline of the original name can be seen on the top floor.

It is on a 350-yard stretch of London Road nicknamed ‘takeaway alley’.

The area, between Cherry Tree Avenue and Beaconsfield Road, already has 12 such outlets and now a cafe bar is also planned there.