A popular sports bar is poised to open in a prime unit which has stood empty for five years.

The team behind the Matches bar in Ashford has secured permission to open for business in Butchery Lane, Canterbury.

The Ashford branch, located on the town’s Elwick Place complex by the Picturehouse cinema, has proved a hit with revellers since opening last year.

Numerous TV screens showcasing any sport from football to MotoGP are scattered around the venue, while colourful memorabilia adorns the walls.

Now, owner Jon Shephard is to expand the business and bring a US-style bar to Canterbury.

Plans to make changes to the long-empty 11-14 Butchery Lane site were lodged with the city council in August.

The proposals, which faced no objections, have now been approved - paving the way for Matches to be added to Canterbury’s ever-expanding list of eateries.

As well as offering beer, the Ashford branch boasts an American-style menu of burgers, nachos, burritos and chicken wings.

Planning papers reveal 12 full-time and five part-time staff members will be employed at the new Canterbury site.

It is not known whether, like Ashford, it will have a pool table, darts board, gaming machines and a shuffleboard table.

Mr Shephard was approached by KentOnline but declined to comment.

Speaking last year prior to the Ashford launch, he stressed how he wanted to “create a hub where clubs and societies can meet up for chats about team tactics, after-training wind-downs and of course, those all-important team socials”.

The Butchery Lane site opposite the Shakespeare pub previously housed Optical Express, Oasis and Toni & Guy hairdressers, but back in 2018, work was carried out to knock the units through into one building.

The original plan was for Caribbean-themed restaurant chain Turtle Bay to open at the renovated unit.

However, the project was scrapped during the height of the pandemic, and the chain’s interest in opening in the city dwindled.

The site, which stands in the shadow of the Cathedral, has since remained empty. Yet, with the Matches plan approved, sports fans could soon be heading there to watch the footie.