A fresh bid has been launched to give a "drastically underperforming" pub dating back more than 240 years a "new lease of life".

Estria Property Solutions has lodged plans with Thanet District Council to transform the former Wheatsheaf Inn in St Lawrence, Ramsgate, into three flats.

The firm's director, Craig Sherwood, says the boozer - which served its first pint in 1777 - shut down two years ago having struggled for a number of years.

"The pub isn't required as residents are no longer supporting it," he told KentOnline.

"It's a shame, but that [the flats scheme] is what the community wants.

"The pub had been drastically underperforming for a number of years, and the landlords could not sell the building as a commercial space.

"The owners want to retire, having been there for 16 years."

Papers show the High Street site has been marketed by estate agency Guy Simmonds since July 2019.

The owners accepted an offer "considerably below the asking price" the following year, but the purchaser withdrew his bid in February 2021 after claiming the survey had highlighted issues with the property.

No offers have been made for the old pub since then.

Mr Sherwood says his research into other businesses in the area led him to the conclusion "introducing another community-based business would offer little to no value".

"In some cases, we found that it would add extra strain to the existing businesses already finding it difficult to stay afloat during these challenging times," he added.

"It's a shame, but the flats scheme is what the community wants..."

"This left us with only one option - to repurpose the building for residential use.

"Although this is deeply regrettable, the current occupiers cannot afford to sustain the current business and must make this decision now.

"The demand for housing in Thanet is by far outstripping the supply. There's no stock - it's crazy."

Drawings reveal that Estria Property Solutions wants to split the flats across three floors, including the pub's basement.

The largest property will have four bedrooms, while the smallest will be equipped with two.

This comes after the company had separate proposals to convert the historic pub into one flat and two homes of multiple occupation snubbed by the local authority.

"Our latest plans will give the Wheatsheaf Inn a new lease of life," Mr Sherwood continued.

"We wish to preserve this beautiful building for many years to come and at the same time help relieve the pressure on an already-overburdened rental market.

"With this in mind, we are hoping to bring to Ramsgate another three residential properties from this project as long-term rentals without any changes to the street view of the existing building."

The original Wheatsheaf Inn opened in 1777, before being replaced by the current the building at the turn of the 20th century.