Dover’s town regeneration group is looking to buy more property.

LoveDover bought the Dickens Corner cafe in March and wants to use profits from that to purchase in the town centre or London Road.

The plan is to keep the ground floor of the former Market Square cafe for retail or business use.

But other floors would be converted into a residence for eventual sale.

Details of this were revealed by LoveDover chairman Graham Tutthill at a meeting organised by civic group the Dover Society at the town’s St Mary’s Parish Centre on Monday.

Mr Tutthill explained that residential conversion would reduce the business rate on the premises because the domestic rate is less.

He added; “Basically we want to encourage the people of Dover, particularly those who may be finding life a challenge, to raise their aspirations, learn new skills, find jobs and have somewhere to live.”

LoveDover, a charity, was formed last year and has town mayor Neil Rix and town clerk Alison Burton as fellow trustees.

Mr Tutthill revealed that LoveDover was hoping to buy two other town centre vacant shops but were outbid by an out-of-town purchaser.

He suggested some out-of-town financiers were acquiring retail premises in Dover town centre in the expectation that property prices would increase when the new St James’ development opens early next year.

Mr Tutthill was a Dover journalist for 48 years until he retired from the Mercury in November 2013.