A former high street shoe shop could be transformed into a nursery.

Footwear giants Shoe Zone, which closed its branch in Sheerness last year, could be replaced by a daycare centre called Sand Stars following an application submitted to Swale council.

The building, which is in Broadway and dates back to around 1830, has been out of use since the store closed.

It has been on the market since November and, in the planning application, is described as “tired and dilapidated” inside, with the existing shop front “damaged and in a state of disrepair.”

The existing property would not be extended or reduced should plans be approved.

Instead, architects Design Quarter would refurbish the front of the shop, which has suffered damage and rotten panelling to its facade.

This will allow some of the property’s lost features such as side columns and low-level panelling to be reinstated, having been removed by former tenants.

New signage would also be installed.

The company would also redecorate the ground and first floor to provide “a clean and tidy aesthetic in which to operate a nursery.”

The proposed nursery would include soft play features.

The site is also a Grade II-listed property meaning it is recognised as being of national importance, and legally protected from being demolished, extended or significantly altered without permission from the local authority.

Grade II sites are referred to as being of “special interest”, meaning every effort should be made to preserve them.

However, the application’s heritage statement says the proposal would not impact or offer any harmful effect to the site, or others nearby.

You can view the plans here using reference number 23/503353.

The plans do not include details of how many children the nursery would cater for or how many jobs might be created.

A decision on the application is expected by October 2.