A disused bus station building could be transformed into a bubble tearoom.

Plans have been revealed to convert the disused circular structure at Canterbury bus station into a 28-seat venue.

If approved, it would be the 19th bubble tea shop in Kent, with the majority of those opening since 2021 in what has been a growing craze in the county.

In Canterbury alone there are four bubble tea businesses currently up and running, two of which opened in the city within the last six months.

If the bus station plans get the go-ahead, it is hoped that five full-time jobs will be created, along with three part-time roles. The provisional opening hours are 11am-9pm seven days a week.

Westgate councillor Michael Dixey told KentOnline he wishes the firm the best of luck but wonders how viable it will be with such a huge amount of competition.

"By the bus station, I would expect it to do well because of the foot traffic it would receive and I wish them success," he said.

"I do think it's important that the building is brought back into use rather than staying empty and it's in quite a good location.

"[But] there are a huge number of bubble tea places in Canterbury and I can't see how they're all going to make a go of it, to be honest."

Cha Lab and Ding Tea, both in St Peter's Street, Canterbury, joined Mooboo and Teastones Boba Hippy in the city early in November last year.

Speaking to KentOnline in October, Sev Michaels, the boss of Teastones Boba Hippy in Sun Street said she believes bubble tea's popularity has surged because youngsters regard it as "their cocktail".

"They look at the menu and they say ‘oh, I’ll have a rose with peach pearls tapioca’ and they find it really exciting," she said.

When asked about the risk of competition to the business, Ms Michaels said: "I’m fine with it because look how many coffee shops there are."

Bubble tea, a concoction of milk, tea and tapioca balls, dates back to Taiwan about 40 years ago and has rapidly spread across the globe.

Making its mark in the US during the 90s, the trend arrived in London in more recent years and has begun to gain popularity in Kent.

Documents submitted to Canterbury City Council by Go To Professioanl Services show the new leaseholders of the bus station site plan to change the use of the building and erect signage advertising the new business, Chiya Boba and Bingsu.

Constructed between 1997 and 2001, the circular building was initially built to be a passenger waiting area but was soon converted into offices for Stagecoach.

In recent times, it has seen operations from the building cease and was on the rental market for £35,000 a year.