The UK’s largest bakery chain has revealed plans to open its first branch in one of the county’s liveliest tourism hot spots.

Greggs, which has more than 2,450 shops, has unveiled proposals to open its latest store in Whitstable High Street, taking over the former Eat 17.

having been empty for years, the firm revealed plans to move into the unit in recent planning papers to Canterbury City Council.

An official opening date is yet to be confirmed, though the scale of the revamp will likely not see it open until 2025.

The firm will look to renovate the front of the building, introducing a replacement entrance and new signage while also installing air-con and extraction units in the back.

27-31 High Street has long been deemed an eyesore, with Whitstable experiencing a well-documented uptick in fortunes and affection in recent years.

Greggs moving in is just one part of big plans to overhaul the building, with plans to convert the first and second floors into a block of six flats given the green light by council bosses two years ago.

Situated a matter of metres away from Sainsbury’s Local, the former Morrisons and Eat 17 convenience store was also part of Cain’s Amusements portfolio up until October 2014.

It was taken over by Spar a few years later and has sat empty since CJ’s Discount Store packed up and departed in 2020.

A Greggs spokesperson said: “Greggs is always looking into new shop locations.

“While we are unable to confirm anything at the moment, we will share any information in due course.”