Reservations to purchase a new luxury apartment - which will be built over the historic Leas Pavilion in Folkestone - are now open.

Work to overhaul the run-down former theatre and nightclub, sunken into the street along The Leas, is expected to start in the autumn.

It comes after planning permission to create a nine-storey glass-fronted apartment block above it, consisting of 91 flats, was given the go-ahead last year.

The build will also incorporate the two car parks either side of it.

Cash from the sale of the new homes will make it possible to renovate the pavilion, which was first built in 1902 as an Edwardian tearoom but has since fallen into major disrepair.

Once complete, it is planned the pavilion, which will form the main entrance to the new flats and include concierge, will also be used by the community for a variety of performances.

Designs for the scheme have come from Hollaway architects, based in Hythe.

Developers Gustavia, previously known as Kantion, say surveys across the site have already started, including assessing for damp and timber rot.

Olivier Daelemans, of Gustavia, said: "We anticipate construction works getting underway in earnest on site this autumn.

"Before that happens, we will be in contact with our neighbours to advise them of the start date, to share information on working hours and agreed delivery routes and to provide points of contact for any questions and concerns.

"Since we were granted planning consent, we have been quite busy with a number of enabling works and surveys.

"Soil investigations have taken place and we have opened up certain areas inside the pavilion to assess for things such as damp, timber rot and asbestos; we have also conducted an overarching structural survey.

"This all informs our design work in advance of a start on site.

"That design work is progressing well in parallel: we are close to reaching Riba stage 4, the final stage before we ask our preferred contractors to price the works.

"Next steps will be to commence installation of the hoarding around the site perimeter.

"For anyone interested in purchasing an apartment, we have started taking reservations. More information can be found on our website (leas-pavilion.co.uk)."

As well as a tearoom, nightclub and theatre, the Leas Pavilion, also known as the Leas Club, has served as a bowling alley and snooker hall over the years.

It was last used in 2007.

Gustavia and Holloway revealed their plans to overhaul the pavilion and create the flats above it in early 2020.

The apartment block would rise to a total of nine storeys - five full storeys, with setbacks to the upper four storeys - and would stand at 32.6 metres high.

It will be created on either side of the pavilion - incorporating the two existing car parks in Cheriton Place and Longford Terrace - as well as ‘bridge’ across it.

The new apartments would all have sea views and will sit upon a terracotta plinth, which seeks to replicate the character of the existing building, which is covered in terracotta tiles.

A total of 65 car parking spaces are planned, less than one space per apartment, and no social housing is to be included.

The restored pavilion will then be used by groups and members of the public as a community space.

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