Plans for a high-end “competitive socialising” venue where customers would play games and watch live sports were rejected amid fears a restaurant would become a bar.

Hospitality boss Johnathan Callister told Camden Council's licensing committee he had ambitious plans for the Playful Pint in Chalk Farm Road.

But despite an offer to change its name, councillors turned down his bid amid concerns it would be a restaurant "seeking to operate as a public house or bar".

Mr Callister told councillors wanted to open the new venue on the site of his restaurant The Korean Cowgirl, which was losing money.

Deciding after two other restaurants including a Gino D'Acampo 'My Restaurant' had already closed there, that the site "does not work" as a restaurant, he researched the idea of a modern games venue.

Customers could play games such as darts using an interactive darts board, table football, shuffleboard, computer games and a private karaoke area.

He said screens would also show sport, with an emphasis on women’s sport.

Mr Callister said the sports bar would not be “downmarket” or encourage drunk customers.

The venue is in the Camden Town 'cumulative impact area' and the council has a policy to reject new applications unless there are “exceptional circumstances”.

Mr Callister told councillors: “This is not a drinking den, we are trying to encourage something high end.”

He added: “I’m a very caring and responsible employer and we always like to think we do things the right way.”

He said the restaurant staff are still employed “with a view that we would come up with a new concept”.

Kate Gemmell from TRACT (Tenants and Residents Associations Camden Town) said residents feel the venue is a “restaurant seeking to operate as a public house or bar”.

Police said they were concerned the new venue would be “alcohol-led” and wanted further conditions to help prevent crime and disorder.

These included serving alcohol only to people sitting at tables and with a substantial table meal.

Speaking for Mr Callister, licensing lawyer Luke Elford said table service would be offered and the venue would agree to conditions, with waiting service so customers could order food and drink from tables and activity areas.

Insisting that alcohol was ancillary to the venue's purpose, he said substantial food would be provided all day, with staff greeting and escorting customers to their tables at busy times.

Cllr Pat Callaghan told Mr Callister, who opened the upmarket Cave hotel in Kent in 2019, : “I think you are very genuine and passionate about what you do.”

But she warned: “Camden Town at night time changes. It attracts everybody and anybody, some brilliant people at night time, some not so brilliant.”

Mr Callister, who offered to change the venue's name, said: “We are not trying to open a bar and add to your heartbreak.”

The licensing committee turned down the application because of the police, licensing authority and residents’ concerns and the impact on the cumulative impact area.