A former cinema that recently housed M&Co could be turned into flats and a shop.

An application has been submitted to build seven “high-quality” apartments in the empty building that used to house the fashion brand in Tenterden.

The High Street site, which sits at the top of town alongside clothes store Boutika and opposite Boots, was first built as the Embassy Cinema in 1937.

It has been empty since the fashion chain went into administration for the second time in January this year, with bosses citing trading challenges and rising costs.

The new plans have been submitted by Pierre Edmonds, who owns the nearby London Beach Country Hotel in St Michaels.

Planning documents to Ashford Borough Council say there has been considerable difficulty attracting a tenant after the closure of M&Co.

“Attempts to attract a tenant who requires the whole building have failed,” an excerpt from the documents reads.

“The proposals will provide a more easily lettable space to the ground floor and high-quality apartments to the upper levels.”

Current plans suggest the ground floor will remain as a retail space “or other approved use”, while the first will be converted into one one-bed and six two-bed flats, with another floor created for the homes too.

Work to establish the apartments will include construction of stairs and a lift, while a rooftop balcony will also be introduced.

Planning documents continue: “New and altered openings in the side and rear elevations will be carried out using brickwork reveals to match the existing work.

“The southwest elevation will be repointed to unify what is currently somewhat haphazard and unsightly.”

The majority of the flats are planned to be fully accessible where the flooring of the building allows, while ten parking spaces with lockable bollards will be allocated to residents at the rear of the building.

The Embassy’s transformation is the second High Street project Mr Edmonds is spearheading in the town, after planning permission was granted to convert the former Barclay’s bank into a shop and single flat.

Work has started on the project last month after permission was granted in August 2022.