Plans have been submitted to Medway Council to turn a former high street bank into a coffee shop.

The building on the corner of Gillingham High Street and Canterbury Street has stood empty since February 2015 when Barclays closed the branch.

But it could become a Coffee Republic if plans to change the premises' use are approved.

The chain has had plans to expand into other areas in Medway following the success of its cafe in Chatham High Street.

It is the second coffee company to take over an empty building in Gillingham.

Last June, Costa Coffee opened in the former Albermarle Bond Pawnbrokers at the other end of the high street opposite WHSmith. The building had been empty for a year.