People living near a once vermin-ridden town centre shop have been urged not to be alarmed as pesticide works are set to get underway.

The abandoned KGN News building in Faversham has become an eyesore over the past year – with multiple sightings of rodents and dead birds inside.

A Swale Borough Council (SBC) inspector uncovered evidence of widespread rodent activity and no running water after a visit in March last year.

But owners told KentOnline that building renovations outside their control were to blame.

By September, bosses closed the shop and opened a Nisa Local convenience store inside the former Soiree bar, also in Preston Street.

The former KGN shop has been empty since and fallen into disrepair, with paint peeling off the walls, graffiti and an open window on the first floor.

But a notice on the store says work to tackle vermin is set to start soon.

“Please be advised we will be commencing clearance works shortly,” it states.

“This will include non-hazardous pesticide works, which will involve smoke, which will be visible when started.

“We have advised the local fire brigade but wish to let our neighbours know so as not to cause alarm.”

After being sold at auction earlier this year for £177,000, the property could finally be set for a new lease of life, with developer Dale Hardwick the latest to take on the challenging site.

In papers submitted to SBC, Mr Hardwick expressed hopes of turning the upper floors into two two-bedroom flats with a revamped shopfront more in line with the “historical character” of the building.

“We believe the new proposal is respectful and cohesive,” added Mr Hardwick.

Alterations inside the Grade II-listed building include the demolition of a historic stairwell, while the entrance will be moved to make way for access to the flats upstairs.

Planning documents submitted with the proposal say the structure has been put “at risk” thanks to "decades of neglect”.

When the building went up for sale, Swale borough councillor Hannah Perkin (Lib Dem) said: “We are lucky in Faversham to have such a wealth of brilliant businesses in our town.

“No one likes to see empty and neglected shop fronts, especially ones with dead pigeons in.

“Hopefully, someone will give it the new lease of life that it deserves and we will soon be welcoming something new to our town centre.”

Separate plans to convert the 17th-century property into a one-bedroom and two-bedroom flat were previously approved in 2022 but permission lapsed in February.