A popular western-themed pub which was forced to shut its doors earlier this year could be turned into a home.

The Dancing Dog Saloon in Sheppey Way, between Bobbing and Iwade, near Sittingbourne, closed in April due to a number of factors including the Covid-19 pandemic.

But now, five months on from the closure, plans have been submitted to redevelop the beloved watering hole into a two-storey house and the current car park turned into a garden.

The pub was opened in 2002 by Shaun Egan who ran it for two decades and was sad to see it go.

"Our last straw was the pandemic," he said back in April.

"We were putting our own money into the establishment way before that, but with rising costs we decided that we just couldn't go on.

"We're very sad that we had to close and we're not happy about it but the saloon was no longer financially viable.

"Hopefully something new will take its place."

Planning documents said the location of the pub and the cost of supplies also lead to the closure of the pub.

The proposals do not include any demolitions or extensions to the existing building other than the removal of existing signage and alterations to the car park.

The existing building currently provides two bedrooms on the first floor as part of the owner’s accommodation, but the redevelopment would see a large detached house created with additional bedrooms.

If approved, the large open plan area for punters would be turned into a living and dining area, as well as a separate lounge.

The public toilet area would be removed and replaced with a private toilet, shower room and utility room.

The bar previously featured on the big screen after it was used for a movie shoot.

It was transformed for an upcoming feature film by production company Reel Entertainment, for a film called Life and Times of Holly Turner.

Actor Jeffrey Stewart, best-known for his role as PC Reg Hollis in the ITV drama The Bill, played the role of Jack Sweeney, a farmer and close friend of Holly’s father, Bill Turner.

However, it wasn't all good news throughout the pub's history.

In 2015, the outside of the saloon was damaged after a car smashed into the building.

An elderly woman was sitting behind the door just moments before a car ploughed through it.