A “neglected” high street building once home to Burton and Dorothy Perkins could be transformed into a restaurant loved by the rich and famous.

Bosses of The Ivy - renowned for attracting celebrities such as Kate Moss, David Beckham and Tom Cruise to its London venues - are eyeing up the site in Canterbury.

A premises licence application for the building on the corner of Rose Lane and The Parade has been submitted to the city council.

If approved, the new venue would be open from 8am to 12.30am seven days a week, with alcohol served from 10am to midnight.

The licence bid includes a request for late-night refreshments to be available inside and outdoors between 11am and midnight.

It comes after plans were lodged last year to convert the upper two storeys of the building into a restaurant catering for more than 300 people, with a rooftop terrace.

The proposals, which have yet to be decided upon by Canterbury City Council, also included three new retail units on the ground floor, some of which are currently being offered out by chartered surveyors Smith Price RRG.

The arrival of the swanky restaurant - where The Ivy Burger costs £16.95 and Lobster Linguine £34.95 - would be a dramatic change for the prominent building.

Since Burton and Dorothy Perkins closed in 2021, the ground floor has played host to a series of pop-up shops and smaller businesses, with many residents complaining it has become a city centre eyesore.

The plans submitted by real estate giant Arora Family last year said: "The existing building lacks character and distinctive qualities. The unused appearance of the upper floors, due to black filed windows, projects an atmosphere of neglect to the surrounding area.

"The large interior area allows for a comfortable dining space and bar, and an external terrace provides an outside area to use, gaining views across the surroundings.

"Our proposal enhances the current environment, being a subtle addition but providing a much-needed focal point for the high street. This will further benefit and engage the local community."

The plans could see a total of 25 jobs created, with projections for the restaurant facilities showing as many as 339 people could be seated.

The rooftop terrace, offering diners a view of the Cathedral, could host as many as 64 people across 23 tables.

Canterbury BID chief executive Lisa Carlson welcomed the news, saying: “We’re delighted by the continued interest in Canterbury, and not surprised that Troia Restaurants have put in a licensing application for The Ivy to come to the city.

“The restaurant would be a welcome addition to Canterbury’s wonderful food & beverage offering, and another reason for people to enjoy their time in the city.”

The Ivy made headlines earlier this year as it emerged owner Richard Caring was looking to sell his share of the business in a deal which could be worth £1 billion.

Caring, who has been dubbed the ‘King of Mayfair’, co-owns the Ivy group in a 50/50 partnership with former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin-Jassim Bin-Jaber Al Thani.

First opening in 1917 in London’s West End, the original site became popular amongst celebrities thanks to its prominent location.

It has 40 locations across Great Britain and Ireland, with new chains coming under the Ivy Collection name.

The Canterbury branch would be the second in Kent, with one already established in Tunbridge Wells.

The Canterbury building was acquired by Arora Family through Sloane Realty, a subsidiary of the firm, in February 2021 for about £2.15 million.

Earlier this year, Arora Family took over the former Wilko building in St George’s Street and have completed the purchase of the Superdrug site, also in St George’s Street, within the last six months.

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It also owns 24 St Margaret's Street, which operates as Superdry, 36 and 37 High Street, and 8-9 The Parade - half of which is used by Hotel Chocolat.

The business, which has roots back to the early 1900s in India, also operates in hospitality and construction, running Indian cuisine eatery Hankies near Marble Arch.

Both The Ivy and Arora Family have been contacted for comment.