Bosses at a tyre garage in Herne Bay say they will look for smaller premises if plans to demolish their current site are approved.

Developers want to knock down the D&J Tyres site in King’s Road and build a four-storey apartment block of nine flats in its place.

Now business owner Joe Brownett, who is also the chairman of Whitstable Town FC, says the firm will look to move to another location in the town.

“We want to downsize a bit and we don’t want the name to die,” said the 78-year-old.

“We have some lovely customers and we really want to serve them in the future, but we can’t carry on with a big base any more.”

If approved, the existing workshops will be knocked down to make way for the apartments.

It will offer parking spaces for one car per flat.

Developers had looked at building 15 flats on the site in 2014, but say the new application is “more modest”.

Mr Brownett, who set up the business with his brother in 1968, has been based in King’s Road for 30 years.

D&J Tyres first opened in Sturry but moved to William Street in 1972 and the current site opened in 1987.

“There is a lot going on in the town and things are changing,” Mr Brownett added.

“We have always looked at making a move and, with the way things are at the moment, it is a good time to look.

“Things are not that bad, but if we can get a smaller place where two or three of us could work and we can look after our regulars, that would be great.”

The public consultation will close on Friday.

To comment on the scheme, visit www.canterbury.gov.uk/planning and search for the CA//17/01333 application.