A former shoe shop that was once a town's oldest family-run business could be split into two homes as new plans have been put forward.

C.G. Earl and Son in Ashford’s Hythe Road closed in February last year after more than 110 years of trading.

It was set up by Clarence George Earl in 1912 but moved to the Hythe Road site in 1921 having been passed down to Clarence's son Ron and his wife Joyce, and then to Ron's son Peter and his wife Angie.

Peter Earl came to the decision to close the shop last year to spend more time with family and the unit has sat empty ever since.

In October it was put on the market for £500,000 and now plans by ANA Architecture and Design show the new owners want to split it back into two separate homes on “a like-for-like basis”.

The store was created as far back as the 1920s by linking two terraced houses internally.

Documents show “all aspects” of the building “now require care and attention” as it is in major need of repair.

The owners also want to keep the parking spaces at the back which means each home would have one off-street parking bay.

They also hope to make space for electric vehicle charging points and both properties will come with a separate cycle shed to store two to three bikes in the gardens.

Another planning application was made in April last year to adapt and maintain commercial use with residential above on the first floor.

The scheme included a loft conversion to both properties but this was later withdrawn.

C.G. Earl and Son sold shoes, belts, boots and work footwear.

The closure saw the end of a dynasty that had refused to let its traditions and values be bowed by the changes in the town, having survived the rise of the Ashford Designer Outlet and online shopping.