Ambitious plans to transform an empty town centre pub into a clothes shop and cafe have been approved.

Residents believe the overhauled Roman Quay in Dover will be a “great addition” to the town and will be “so much more than just another shop”.

It comes as officers at Dover District Council gave the go-ahead for the former public house to be changed into a multi-use centre, which will also include a community workshop and workspace.

It will be run by Beehive Dover, a charity helping disadvantaged people.

The group’s manager, Laura Brittain, said: “We are really excited to be moving to Dover.

“We hope the new centre will be open in the early autumn, in two to three months.”

The shop, in Stembook, will sell second-hand women’s clothes, and Beehive already has such a boutique in North Street, Ashford, which opened in 2017.

Meanwhile, the café and workspace at Dover will be designed to provide opportunities for networking and training, from the creative arts to helping volunteers develop skills to secure paid jobs elsewhere.

The application was made by the homelessness charity Dover Outreach, which is working with Beehive on the project.

Dover Town Council, as a consultee, expressed support for the application, as did 13 out of 15 members of the public who commented on the council's planning portal.

Resident Fazlin Blakemore wrote: “The Roman Quay has been empty for a long time, so to have an initiative like Beehive is much needed in the area to support women.

“This will be a great addition and in keeping with the regeneration of the high street and helping build a stronger community.”

Steph O’Connor believes the Beehive proposal is a “wonderful community concept” that will benefit the town.

“The idea of repurposing a centrally located empty building into a hub that provides opportunities for members of our community is a real boon and something we should feel proud of,” she said.

Alan Found also wrote in support of the plans, saying Dover District Council “desperately needs to find ways of serving the people living here”.

“It will be good to see another building no longer boarded up,” he added.

Rebecca Hart commented: “I've seen The Beehive in Ashford and the amazing positive impact it's making on people's lives there, so I'm positive having a Beehive in Dover will be so worthwhile and help so many people in need.

“It will be so much more than just another shop... it will be a much-needed community hub, and a special clothing shop for women in need, as well as helping those in need of support and friendship in the wider public.”

Simon Lock was against the scheme, explaining: “ Dover has lost too many of its historic pubs in recent years.

“Meanwhile, I know of at least one bar business looking for premises that can't find anything suitable, and I'm sure there must be others.”

But Sarah Goldswain countered: “The Roman Quay has stood idle for some years now. If it had been a serious contender for reopening it would have happened by now.”

The pub was built on behalf of the Charrington Brewery and opened on July 31, 1957.

Its name reflects the area’s use as a port by the Romans, then called Dubris.

In 1956, when the pub was planned and its name was still being considered, the borough librarian confirmed that the walls of Roman Dover passed directly through the site.

Nearby remnants of a quay or causeway were found from the era plus examples of Roman baths, tiles, pottery and glass.

The Roman Quay closed on February 24, 2020.