Plans have been submitted for the conversion of a historic town centre building into a hotel, restaurant, pub and wedding venue.

The Grade II listed structure has been everything from judge’s lodgings and council offices, to an alleged brothel and most recently a boutique Airbnb-style hotel.

Stone Court House in Lower Stone Street, Maidstone, was falling into wrack and ruin before getting a multi-million, two-year makeover from owners Saban and Belinda Demirbasa.

In June 2022 the couple opened the revamped 700 year-old building, which they bought for £550,000, as both a family home and a boutique Airbnb-style business.

“It's really established now – we get a lot of repeat customers,” Mr Demirbasa explained.

“Over the last 18 months we have listened to our guests and many have said it would be nice to have breakfast or dinner. We usually recommend local places in the area.

“There’s lots to do in Kent as well. People want to stay with us for longer and with food available they can do just that.

“We are also employing a small team of people and hope to give the younger generation more opportunities in this industry.”

Plans have now been officially submitted to Maidstone council for the conversion.

Planning documents detail how the building was used as judge’s lodgings in the late 1800s, then repurposed as county council offices in the early 20th century.

Around 1900 the council vacated the building, “after which it was in use as a hotel with restaurant, and has since been vacant from the mid 2010’s,” the plans explain.

“The property then became a hotel and fine dining restaurant in 2003, during which period it was also used as a wedding venue between 2003 and 2010.”

“After a while that did not prove to be a viable proposition and the building went through a difficult time including more vacant periods until the applicant purchased it in 2019 and substantially refurbished the property to a high standard.”

The storied structure now hosts a three-bedroom apartment where the Demirbasa family live, and seven apartments which are rented out for holidays.

A wedding licence has been granted to the property, and the Demirbasas plan to move out and convert the entire property into a hotel with a restaurant and bar, to host weddings and civil ceremonies.

Renovations will include “a new restaurant at the front of the property including outdoor dining to the enclosed courtyard”. It will be a “high-end dining establishment showcasing local and seasonal produce”.

A private art studio and cellar at the property are set to be converted into a pub and “small-scale brewery equipment”.

Video: Saban speaking in 2022 about the renovation

The owners intend to apply for a licence to open seven days a week, from midday until 11pm with last orders at 10.30pm.

Wedding ceremonies will be held in what is currently the private living room, and the number of lettable double rooms will increase from seven to 12.

Prior to its restoration, the building found itself on English Heritage’s at risk register.

Stone Court House was originally built in the 15th century to host Lady Sackville of Knole House.

It is not yet known when Maidstone council’s planning committee will decide on the application, but an internal deadline of March 19 has been set.

If approved, the family aim to start work in April.