A vacant high street unit which served as a travel agents for almost 40 years could become a new Asian-themed restaurant.

Plans have been submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) for a new Kokoro eatery.

The site earmarked is the former town centre TUI branch on the corner of Ashford High Street and Bank Street.

If approved, the proposal would see the 18th century and Grade II-listed building become Kokoro's latest sushi-themed restaurant.

The company was founded in Kingston in June 2010 and currently has 73 branches in the UK - including five in Kent in Bromley, Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.

As well as sushi, it also offers dishes like sashimi and hot food such as tofu and chicken katsu curry.

Planning documents submitted with the application say: "The proposed change of use from a former travel agency shop to a restaurant cafe unit is relatively aesthetic that will offer a socio-economic framework for the community.

"It will enhance and add to the street scene and public offer in the area and benefit the area of Ashford High Street."

Further information adds the ground floor diner would provide between 10 and 30 seats like other Kokoro restaurants.

The 99.5 sq m plot would also be open from 11am until 9pm seven days a week, with takeaway options likely to be on the cards once trading.

The proposed unit previously served several travel companies since trading as Lunn Poly in the mid-1980s.

The company though left Ashford in 2002 and ceased operations altogether in November 2005.

This led to the shop becoming a Thomson branch where it remained for more than a decade.

In 2015, TUI, who acquired Thomson several years prior, announced the latter would be dropped from its website, agencies, and aircraft. TUI then began trading at the unit in 2017.

However, the branch moved to County Square Shopping Centre in 2019 to replace the now-closed Thomas Cook Group following the company's liquidation.

It has meant the proposed corner plot has remained vacant ever since.

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A decision on the application is expected by December 4.