From This is Kent, Friday 9th November 2012.

A MAN who wants to "change the music industry" has started by opening a new bar in Rendezvous Street.

Owner Chris Wiseman hopes "Rokanrolla," in the former "Stones bar," will be the first of a string of music bars. The venue will host a variety of live acts and DJs as well as serving food.

Mr Wiseman said: "I think we've got a great concept.

"Rokanrolla stands for celebrating music and we'll play genres suitable for people aged between 18 and 80. Obviously, some nights will draw a younger crowd but I want it to be a real family restaurant during the day."

The bar was closed by owners Punch Taverns in July 2011. At the time Eloise Hassall, manager of the Folkestone Area Partnership Against Crime, said "Stones" would not be missed from a crime and antisocial behaviour perspective.

But Mr Wiseman intends to turn around the bar's reputation. He said: "I knew about the problems but I'm not worried about that. I thought, I'll put in my own concept and make it a really good bar. That happened 15 months ago and it's had a major refurbishment since.

"I want this to be really successful. In an ideal world, I'd have five or six bars, so good bands could play at all of them. Then, maybe, we could have a record label so people could download the music.

"We're providing another option for the music industry and I suppose I really want to change it. We're a long way off but someone's got to do it."