A popular micropub could be flattened to make way for a three-storey block of shops, offices and apartments.

Plans for The Tankerton Arms, which opened in March 2013, to be demolished along with a small parade of three shops are now being considered by council bosses.

Designed by Canterbury firm On Architecture, the plans propose to “strengthen” the street scene and create vehicle access to the site via Graystone Road.

Micropub regular Johnny Homer, author of the guidebook Whitstable and Herne Bay Pubs, said the demolition would be a great shame.

“If it were to be knocked down then it would be a great loss as it is my favourite micropub,” he said.

“It offers a nice alternative to the formulaic public house and it was the first of the micropubs to start in Whitstable.

“It would be a loss not just for the drinking community but also for the area as a whole if it were to go.”

The pub is run by Nigel and Patsy Ranger and is named after the original Tankerton Arms on the Slopes, which closed in 1999.

If granted, three new shops will open, along with one office and seven apartments at the site.

Mr Homer, who is a tour guide at the Faversham brewery, says the proposed closure is a sign of the times.

“One of the saddest things to see is pubs being replaced with uncharacteristic modern boxes.

“When I moved to here from London 14 years ago I thought that I had got away from that. However, it seems that Whitstable is turning into the modern world.

“I at least hope the original historic Tankerton Arms will not be knocked down, as I would imagine there would be a great outcry if it were to happen.”

Shops that will be demolished along with the pub include a branch of the Strode Park Foundation charity and a diabetes charity store.

Commenting on Canterbury City Council’s planning website, Simon Cornish said the loss of the pub, which was formally a tattoo parlour, would hurt Tankerton.

“The character of our single High Street is an important one.

“The design of its buildings is an essential element of our built environment. Incongruity creeps stealthily in to unique areas such as ours and eventually places just look alike.

“The loss of the Tankerton Arms micropub would leave the community poorer. Surely changes to the fabric of the environment should benefit the many and not the few.”