Kent’s youngest football chairman is set to open a wine store in the shopfront of a former Chinese takeaway.

Herne Bay FC's Stuart Fitchie says he was inspired to undertake the “passion project” after visiting the Wine Palace in Monte Carlo - a luxurious two-storey off-licence in Monaco Yacht Club.

The 31-year-old says his Whitstable shop will “reinvigorate” Tower Parade and offer a variety of wines, beers and spirits to locals and tourists alike.

People are already able to grab a drink from the likes of The Offy in High Street and the South Quay Shed, which is a six-minute walk away.

But Mr Fitchie believes he will pull in punters along the section of the beach nearest his new business.

“It’s been a real passion project of mine,” said Mr Fitchie.

“I’ve been on the beach so many times and have wanted to get a beer or a bottle of wine but there’s nothing around.

“We’re going to do a variety of different alcohols, wines, beers, spirits but then also we’re going to do takeaway teas and coffee and a selection of light pastries.

“We’ll have offers for people who just want an everyday bottle for them to have for the evening, but also for people that just want a more expensive wine, we’ll have that as well.

“It’s going to be called Carol’s, in memory of my nan, who frequented a bottle of wine here and there.”

Just a short walk from Whitstable Harbour, the small store at 2 Tower Parade - formerly home to New World Chinese takeaway - will be licensed to serve alcohol on-site and sell bottles to go.

While there will be no tables inside, Mr Fitchie says that he will set up seating outside in the summer months and plans to host an opening event later in February.

“It’s a great opportunity," he added.

“There’s a lot of coffee shops and independent traders in Whitstable, but one thing I’ve noticed from talking to people around here is that they want to reinvigorate the parade because it hasn’t had much going on for a while.

“We hope to see all sorts of people come through the door, this location gets a lot of footfall and we have a lot of tourists in Whitstable, so we want to try and cater to everyone we can."

Mr Fitchie, who has been dubbed "Abramofitch" by Herne Bay fans, added: “The inspiration for Carol's was when we went to the Wine Palace in Monaco.

"It’s a massive off-licence right by the harbour but you can drink wine inside there as well."

Among the bottles at the Wine Palace is a 2008 Pomerol, on sale for £11,500.