From the https://www.kentlive.news By Jamie Rose, 25 March 2021.

First look at New Romney cocktail bar whose owner doesn't need it make money.

When it opens this summer Balance Bar will be a 'profits for charity' venture funded by a local businessman.

Balance Bar will be a 'profits for charity' venture funded by a local businessman.

A new hospitality venture in New Romney faces one of the toughest starts imaginable.

Due to open in June, it's not clear what coronavirus restrictions might be in place when Balance Bar flings its doors open to customers for the first time.

But you get the impression that financial resources won't be what holds it back.

The new £250,000 bar currently under construction in the High Street is being funded by local businessman Lance McKay, who has apparently amassed considerable wealth through his companies HRS Rail and HRS Construction.

Mr McKay owns a fair bit of local real estate too - including the Savages greengrocers, next door to his new bar.

But bringing a quality bar to his hometown, while diverting all of its profits to brain tumour charities because his daughter has recovered from one, means this particular venture is closest to Mr McKay's heart.

His marketing manager Callum told KentLive: "He wants to give something back and create awareness about how it affects peoples' lives.

"Where his daughter was looked after in Ashford, the kids didn't really have lots of entertainment so he bought all the kids on the ward iPads.

"People might have heard actually that some Nintendos were stolen from the ward recently, and he's just bought another four consoles to give them.

"It's things like that he's looking to do - there's no particular charity it will be linked to but there will be a focus on brain tumour charities."

Callum said around £250,000 was being spent on the High Street unit which was once home to a bank branch.

A major project is underway to turn it into a cocktail bar with live sports and a tapas food offer.

There will also be a stylish interior made to look like a bank vault, pointing to the unit's former use.

Live sports will also be available.

Callum added that, for Mr McKay, the venture was also about giving back to his hometown.

"The location was important to him because there's not much going on in New Romney really," he said.

"For him it's something he's always wanted to do and we hope to create a real nice community around it.

"He doesn't need to make money from it but if it does he's going to give it to brain tumour charities."

Balance Bar is due to have a soft launch is planned in June, with a full launch to follow if Government restrictions continue to ease.

They say the plan is to unite the lively and vibrant atmosphere of a cocktail bar with the relaxed enjoyment of a sports bar.

A "unique experience" is promised, where people can enjoy themselves in a venue in the knowledge that all profits go directly to charity.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Jee, 31 March 2021.

Natwest building to become charitable Balance Bar in New Romney,

Residents of a Kent town are set for a post-lockdown treat when a unique new bar opens in the high street.

New Romney is set to welcome Balance Bar, a tapas bar and restaurant that will give all of its profits to charity.

The bar, which is the first of its kind in the area, will open in the former Natwest bank building on the High Street.

It is owned by Lance McKay, a local business owner who wanted to give back to charities that had helped his family.

He said: "I had originally planned to turn the building into two commercial shops and offices, but in May 2019 my family's life was changed dramatically.

"My youngest daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She was cared for at the Lion Ward in Kings College Hospital, London, by its extraordinary surgeons and nurses.

"We could not have asked for a better quality of care, and to this day we are grateful for everything they did.

"That inspired me to reapply for planning permission to create a bar with the intention of all profits being donated to charities associated with brain tumour research."

Work on the Natwest building has been ongoing since January, and is set to complete in June, when patrons will be able to enjoy food and drink while surrounded by the original features of the bank vault.

Mr McKay, who owns seven companies on and around the Marsh area, said that by that point, around £250,000 will have been invested in the project, with additional support coming from other companies.

"We have received great support from other local businesses such as Hatch Engineering Ltd and On Architecture," he explained, "and without the support and dedication of my staff across all companies, I would not have achieved this.

"Balance Bar is a venture that means a great deal to me. After what I have accomplished over the years, I am able to deliver something in return.

"With the help of my team, we will produce exciting food and cocktail menus. Our aim will be to ensure that every customer has a unique experience when visiting Balance Bar with the added knowledge of knowing that they are contributing to a terrific cause."