The boss of a tearoom in Ashford town centre says he isn't closing – even though plans to shut the site have been submitted to the council.

Trevor Cook, who runs Church View Tea Rooms, says the application to turn the cafe into a home and office space was submitted without his knowledge.

Mr Cook, who has run the business for six-and-a-half years, said: "My lease is up in September, my landlady is doing this as a back-up plan for if I don't renew the lease.

"Her plan B is to do something with the property without having it empty for ages.

"I'm planning to renew the lease but obviously if the rent is put up we will have to wait to see. It's her back-up plan and she put it in without telling me.

"I learned about it from my neighbours who were given planning notices."

In a statement prepared by James Clague Architects on behalf of applicant Peggy Tyley Limited, it says the site has “struggled for many years against the background of decreasing town footfall and competition from national chains”.

It adds this has “partially been contributed to” by the £90m Designer Outlet extension and the loss of Debenhams.

The closure of butcher TK Meats, Marks and Spencer, BHS, Burton and Mothercare have also been blamed.

Previously The Chilli Bite restaurant and sandwich bar, the site has been a tearoom for just over two years.

The Grade II-listed building next to the newly opened Rosewell’s Tattoo Studio is in the section of town known as Middle Row.

If the plans submitted to Ashford Borough Council are approved, a workspace and reception area is proposed for the ground floor, while a bedroom, a lounge, and a kitchen are on the cards for the first floor, and another bedroom and a bathroom could occupy the second floor.