A old late night bar is to be transformed into a global brand clothing store in a coastal town.

Kabuki in Marine Gardens had once been a popular location for a night out in Margate, but since closing in 2020 the site has been vacant.

Now the 19th century Grade II-listed building next to the high street will be renovated to house a world-wide fashion retailer, “especially well-known among the younger public”.

Until the proposal is approved by the council, the new store wishes to remain anonymous, but sources with knowledge of the project say it is a nationally and internationally renowned brand.

Tony Michael, a consultant on the renovation project, says the introduction of the store is an important part of the town’s regeneration.

“In my view it will be very important to the area,” said Mr Micheal.

“I grew up in Margate and I remember when Margate was a thriving place with Marks and Spencer’s on the hight street. Northdown Road used to be an upscale shopping location.”

“Now gradually, gradually Margate is coming back.”

“More businesses are starting up but they’re all smaller individual business - so to have a retail chain come back to Margate I think is great.”

On the corner of Albert Terrace and Marine Garden, the site is part of the Margate conservation area.

It was previously a group of three Victorian houses built in about 1840, but the homes were combined in the 1960s to form one larger building.

No exterior changes will be made to the historic lot, but alterations will be made on the inside.

“It’s a notable and important building...”

The women’s bathroom will be swapped out for a changing room, and decorations, shelves and display units will be installed in the new shop floor.

“It’s a notable and important building,” said Mr Micheal. “And to have a notable and important tenant in there is a big part of that.

“A lot of the regeneration of Margate is taking place in the old town and some regeneration on the sea front, but at the other end of the seafront - the Dreamland end - there’s not as much.

“It’s important that we try to try fill in the gap and make the regeneration homogenous. Our building is right in the middle of that.”

The proposal is set to be discussed in a planning meeting in December.