Plans to open a branch of a leading chain cafe on the seafront are still going ahead despite delays and local opposition to the move, developers have confirmed.

Dean Tevfik, who bought the fire-hit Bun Penny site in Central Parade in 2014, gained planning permission to demolish the pub and replace it with a block of 14 flats and restaurant space on the ground floor.

It was speculated that Zizzi, Ask and Subway were in contention to take over the site and that he was in negotiations with Costa and Starbucks.

The rumours triggered a petition last year, which received more than 350 signatures, demanding the space be used to house a local independent business.

But Mr Tevfik has confirmed this week he is still hoping to strike a deal with a major chain.

“I’m not saying which one; it’ll be a surprise for Herne Bay,” he said.

“I’m not at all concerned with people opposing it.

“It’s what I feel will be good for Herne Bay.”

Nigel Hancock, who has launched the petition against a national chain moving in, says such a move could affect local traders.

“If a coffee chain was to arrive there it would only act to the detriment of the independents in the area,” he said.

“It also wouldn’t be good for Herne Bay when you consider the current issues with disposable coffee cups.

“But I would have mixed feelings if the space was going to be turned into a restaurant because I could imagine there being some benefits to it.”

Work on the cafe space has already begun and will be completed after the flats have been moved into.

The apartments are now expected to be completed in February, almost a year after they had to be taken off the market in May.

At the time, three of the 14 two- and three-bedroom flats, ranging from £325,000 to £575,000, had been sold and the properties were expected to be occupied by the end of June 2017.

“By this time next month we may have people in there,” he said.

“Almost all of the building work is completed now; we’re just working on the last bits the council wanted us to do to sign the building off.”

According to Mr Tevfik, the construction delays were caused by the sacking of a contractor whose work did not meet his standards.