A family-run garage which has been in a town for 53 years will close at the end of the month - as the site could be turned into housing.

B D Motors started life in January 1971 at its current home nestled away amongst residential properties in Essex Street, Whitstable.

The highly-rated car workshop has been run by Alf Reed throughout the decades but will shut for good as the business’s lease is not being renewed.

Mr Reed, now 82, told KentOnline: “I’m happy to be retiring but I will absolutely miss it – it’s been my life.

“If nothing else it’s one way of staying alive longer!

“But joking aside, it's something you look forward to. It's not something you dread getting up for in the morning.”

Mr Reed now accepts it is time to move on and has a “big list” of things to do during his retirement.

“I think I’ll probably be involved with cars but classic ones rather than the modern rubbish,” he added.

Thousands of loyal customers will have used B D Motors over the past half-century for MOTs and repairs.

It has an average Google Reviews rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, with drivers praising its reasonable prices and the staff’s professionalism.

One customer writes: “Highly recommend this garage! We bring all our family cars here. They don't rip you off and are very honest men.”

But plans submitted to Canterbury City Council last year confirmed the owner of the site hopes to redevelop it to facilitate the building of four homes.

The property came under the stewardship of Mr Reed and his former business partner Malcolm Tims in 1971, filling the gap left by fizzy drink manufacturer Star Minerals which departed in 1969.

Mr Tims left B D Motors more than 20 years ago, with Adrian Shoosmith taking his place.

Mr Shoosmith, who has spent 40 years of his life at the firm working his way up from an apprentice, says he will continue to work from his home with customers of the garage being encouraged to contact him in order to find out more about this new service.

The 56-year-old mechanic made enquiries about keeping the business alive in new premises either in Whitstable or Herne Bay. But he says a lack of availability combined with high rents has rendered this impossible.

“I’m keen to let people know and thank them – we’ve had some really great customers over the years,” Mr Shoosmith said.

“It would have been nice to keep it going but places either won’t let us have a garage or we just can’t afford the rents.

“There’s nowhere else for us to go really, but it means I can try something new if I don’t find anything in mechanics.”

The owner’s plans for the site would see three two-bed houses and a three-bed house built.

The applicant, Mr C London, said: “The proposal will result in a general improvement to the surrounding properties amenity by the removal of commercial buildings and activity in an area which is now predominantly residential and removing the commercial buildings from the rear of the site.”

The news of B D Motors’ departure comes just weeks after Harbour Garage in Whitstable also shut up shop.

In a Facebook post on February 21, bosses at the long-serving used car dealership announced it would cease trading just four days later.

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The post said: “There has been lots of speculation over the past week or so. Unfortunately we closing our doors this week.

“It has been an absolutely heartbreaking decision to make. The sheer running costs have gotten the better of us.

“We would to thank all of our loyal customers over years, but mostly I would like to thank the staff who have always given 100% commitment and dedication.”

One mechanic from the now-closed site has since decided to open his own workshop after 35 years – with Harbour Jim Autos now trading out of Westbrook Industrial Park in Herne Bay.