Sittingbourne’s burgeoning micropub industry could be about to get bigger after plans were submitted for a mini-boozer in the town centre.

A planning application has been submitted to convert a vacant retail unit that used to be a clothes shop in Sittingbourne High Street, next to Baileys sandwich bar.

The new establishment would be named The Yellow Stocks and it could be open as early as the end of March.

Sara Seabridge, who along with her husband Paul Seabridge is behind the venture, said the name refers to a type of brick that used to be manufactured in Sittingbourne and the couple wanted a name reflecting the town’s heritage.

The 51-year-old said the venue would follow a set of rules micropubs generally abide by designed to foster conversation and a friendly atmosphere.

This includes no music, televisions or noisy machines while mobile phones are often banned completely.

The Yellow Stocks will have a capacity of between 25 to 30 people and will serve Kent ales, wines and some gins.

Opening hours are planned to be between 11am and 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 11am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sara, who is also Sittingbourne Retail Association’s events coordinator, said: “It will have a proper traditional feel.

“It will have a proper traditional feel..." - Sara Seabridge

“We realise, obviously, it’s up-and-coming within the hospitality trade, one of the biggest growing areas.

“I will still be involved in events locally but my husband Paul and I are both looking at something for ourselves for the future.”

Sittingbourne already boasts two other micropubs: The Paper Mill in Charlotte Street and Donna’s Ale House which opened last month at the other end of the high street.

Sara, who moved to Sittingbourne from Sheppey in 2002, said she will be working with Donna Hartridge, proprietor of Donna’s Ale House, to see how they can encourage more people to try real ales.

Sara, who has run The Kemsley Arms in Ridham Avenue, as well as pubs in London and Sheppey, said: “A lot of people are starting to feel like they would rather go somewhere you can have a chat and talk to somebody rather than just sit watching the telly.

“I have been in the trade for 21 years so I have seen how what people want has changed over the years.”

She added the interior will have a Georgian feel “nice and comfortable and not too modern”.