New artist’s impressions show how part of a town centre could look when a prime Grade II-listed building is finally converted.

The former Merchant Chandler shop in North Street, Ashford, is being split into two food outlets on the ground floor while the ex-Evans store next door is also on the market as part of the development.

Computer-generated images released to KentOnline this week show the long-empty unit could be filled by Costa Coffee, although nothing has been confirmed with the company.

Property owners Miso Construction say the artist’s impressions are a guide as to the type of national business they hope to attract to the corner unit, which faces the high street.

The space next door will be filled by Itaca’s, a Georgian-style restaurant and wine bar, which will be run by twin brothers Charlie and Billy Banyard.

As well as the bar, which will be made of pink marble, there will be giant chandeliers and rose walls and ceilings in the toilets.

By day it will be a cafe which serves afternoon tea, coffee, and light food, but by night, it will turn into a wine bar with an extensive cocktail menu.

Charlie and Billy, 29, who live near the town centre, first came up with the idea while on holiday in the south of France three-and-a-half years ago.

They saw the word Itaca’s etched into an old church while discussing the idea and the name has stuck ever since.

The front of the building, which is Grade II-listed, currently has two Georgian pillars which they want to restore to their former glory while creating two new replicas.

Four of the internal walls will be removed to open up the space, while a new wall will be created to make room for new toilet facilities.

Itaca’s is due to open later this summer.

In the adjacent part of the building, which more recently housed The Collection Ashford, Fusion multi-cuisine restaurant and takeaway hopes to have 22 seats and serve a variety of foods from fish and chips, Italian pizzas and Indian masalas.

It will fill the unit marked by fictional restaurant Arma in the artist’s impressions.

The whole development will be named Draper’s Corner as a nod to the street’s past.

Project manager Mikhel Pipariya, of Miso Construction, said: “This building dates back to the 1680s; it used to be a draper’s for a long time.

“So given that history and given the clothing stores that have come in and out, we thought of giving it back its name to bring in some history.

“We are also hoping to put up a plaque to commemorate its history.”

Above the retail units, planning permission for six flats was granted in 2019 and the owners hope construction can finally start in two months’ time.

There will be two one-bed apartments, three two-beds and one three-bed, with a separate entrance away from the retail units.

It is hoped they will be on the market by February.

A spokesperson from Costa said: "At this current time, we have no confirmed plans for a new Costa Coffee store to open in the town centre of Ashford.

"We’re always happy to speak to local developers on opportunities."

The company already has a site in County Square shopping centre.