A chef who honed his skills at top London restaurants has revealed plans to open a café in a former village shop.

Stephen Gadd, known for his pop-up restaurants in pubs including the London Tavern in Margate and Neptunes Hall in Broadstairs, wants to open the new food spot in Reading Street.

The dad-of-three has taken over the St Peters's premises, which was previously Village Stores, and has submitted plans to Thanet council for it to be turned into a café-restaurant catering to the breakfast and lunch crowd.

"This is the perfect spot in the perfect street," said Mr Gadd, who has notable former workplaces under his belt, including the iconic Odettes in Primrose Hill and the two-Michelin-starred Hibiscus in Mayfair.

"We'll be a café/restaurant which also sells freshly baked goods, like sourdough and pastries, in the morning, which people can take away."

He says the new premises, called Staple Stores, would be a Wednesday to Sunday operation, opening from 8.30am to 4pm.

"It will be breakfasts, but not like a greasy spoon - things like scrambled eggs and smoked salmon - and everything will be made in-house and with local produce," he said.

"Lunch will be just two or three plates, such as a rack of roast pork or lamb. We'll have a meat and vegetarian option. It will be a simple menu.

"From September to April, once the summer dies down, we might do roasts on a Sunday, which is what I'm known for."

He also hopes, if planners agree his change of use application, to open on a Friday and Saturday evening once a month for a supper club.

"There will be guest chefs, myself cooking, people from London and Thanet, with a set menu with a specific theme," he said.

Mr Gadd says they will make changes to the front of the shop which will be done tastefully and in "accordance with village ethos".

"We will also install flower beds to separate the boundary from the road which will give protection, but will also make the front look more attractive.

"We will also have space for customers to leave bicycles and pushchairs to encourage people not to drive.

"We really want this to be something for the community and local people to enjoy."

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