The former home of a quirky cafe on a busy high street is set to go under the hammer.

The Boho Cafe Bar site in the heart of Canterbury, which closed in 2020 after struggling to stay afloat during Covid, has a guide price of about £400,000.

The news has been welcomed by city councillor for Westgate ward, Cllr Michael Dixey, who looks forward to seeing the prominent site brought back into use.

“We welcome any usage of buildings that are currently empty, and what will be of interest is what a potential purchaser would want to do with it," Cllr Dixey told KentOnline.

“There are lots of things that would be nice to have, such as spaces for young people to meet.

“Anything that isn’t vapes or a similar sort of borderline product will be welcomed.”

However, the Lib Dem warned that things might have to change for a business to be commercially viable in Canterbury.

“There’s so many cafes in Canterbury already, some of them must be struggling,” said Cllr Dixey.

“So a premises like this will almost certainly need a change of use to be viable.

“There isn’t a massive market for clothing stores right now, a lot of things that people want like bakers or greengrocers don’t do well in the city centre most of the time.

“I’d be ever so pleased if someone did come in and make it work, but whatever it is needs to fill the gap and be commercially viable.”

Auctioneers Clive Emson describe 27 High Street as “an attractive three-storey mid-terrace property situated in a prime central location in the heart of the city”.

Potential owners can expect to have access to three floors, including a kitchen, toilets and accommodation on the top floor. The property also has an enclosed courtyard.

Boho Cafe Bar, which was a popular eatery and music venue, closed in July 2020 after being hit hard by lockdowns during the pandemic.

It had been a fixture on the high street, with one supporter describing it as “part of the furniture”.

The auction takes place virtually, and is expected to close on Wednesday.