A takeaway pizza chain is hoping to take over an empty town centre unit which could become its seventh Kent branch.

A new planning application shows Tops Pizza wants to open in the former Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in Ashford's Lower High Street.

The unit has been vacant since August last year when franchisees Lyn and Charles Suddards closed the site after a decade of trading.

Revealed in a June 25 planning application, the shop's change of use will be coupled with the installation of a ventilation system to the rear of the property.

In the attached heritage statement, SIFA Architecture, working on behalf of applicant Ali Yazdi, states: "The proposed application of a hot food takeaway is considered to be appropriate as the intended use will enhance the surrounding area by having a positive impact by reusing a vacant unit and maximising the use of the existing building."

One potential difficulty for the applicants could be that the 18th century building is Grade II-listed, making alterations more difficult.

However the architects write: "The proposed change of use to a hot food takeaway will mainly consist of internal alterations, and the new sign letters will be painted.

"Any new signage will be designed to be suitable and within keeping to the surrounding area."

Tops Pizza began in 1989, when British–Iranian Ali Morad Yazdi Nodoushani opened his first branch in Fulham.

The company now has more than 50 branches across London and the South East, including stores in Canterbury, Chatham, Dover, Folkestone, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

Google reviews of the Kent outlets vary, attaining 4.1 stars at its Dover branch but only achieving three stars out of five in Canterbury.

One of its particular selling points is its late closing time, with the Canterbury branch staying open until 4am most days and its Maidstone shop remaining in operation until 5am on Friday and Saturdays.

The Ashford branch intends to be open until 11.30pm every day except for Fridays and Saturdays, when it would close at 1am instead.

It would be the latest in a string of pizza places that have opened in Ashford's town centre recently.

On Pizza, which boasts potentially the town's largest pizzas at 20 inches, launched in the County Square shopping centre two months ago.

Meanwhile Fireaway opened in Bank Street late last year, offering pizzas made to order in just three minutes.

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