A popular Italian restaurant building is going under the hammer at a guide price of £1.7 million.

The riverside property in Canterbury High Street currently houses the city's branch of ASK Italian - one of the chain's 120 UK restaurants.

With prime location in the city centre, the building was once home to Kentish Gazette founder James Simmons, who set up the newspaper in 1768.

It is let to ASK owner Azzurri Restaurants until 2031, at a current annual rent of £96,670.

The property is being auctioned off with a guide price of between £1.65m and £1.75m.

Acuitus spokesman Peter Mayo said: "ASK is a very popular eatery with locals and visitors alike, and this handsome listed property is bursting with character and Canterbury history.

"It occupies a prime trading location towards the northern end of High Street next to the bridge across the River Stour, where there is one of the most picturesque views in the city”.

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