A vacant town centre shop that was last a tanning salon has been earmarked to become a cafe.

The units at 59-61 High Street in Sittingbourne, which sits next to Richy’s Barbers near Poundland, could see a change of use after years without a tenant.

Planning permission to change the use of the empty lot has been asked for by Luke Strange Ltd.

The architects argue a change in use of the site – from a commercial unit – would help bring the shop back into active use.

The firm says once the building is occupied it will contribute to the “vitality” of the High Street and will “deliver economic and social benefits” to the town centre and its traders.

It also points to a response from Harrisons Chartered Surveyors says the change would “result in a more lettable retail unit” after almost a decade of searching for a long-term tenant.

It said: “From 2015 until the present the shop was only let once, in the autumn of 2017 as a tanning salon.

“But the business did not thrive and the shop was vacated part way through the lease in December 2019.

“There have been many viewings since 2015, but the layout, lack of natural lighting and most importantly the differing floor levels make it very difficult for less mobile, disabled and elderly customers to access all the sales area.

“This has discouraged potential tenants from taking the unit.”

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A decision on the plans is expected by Tuesday, August 6.