A historic pub dating back more than two centuries is set to reopen later this year after sitting abandoned for seven years.

New owners of the long-empty Dukes Head in Dymchurch Road, Hythe have confirmed building on the site to turn it into a cafe or restaurant should be finished by April.

The ground floor of the Grade II-listed pub, which dates back to 1795, will be used for commercial use and a one-bedroom and three-bedroom flat is being built above.

As well as this, the existing barn building adjacent to the former pub is being converted into a three-bedroom semi-detached house.

Planning permission has also been granted for the erection of two three-bedroom dwellings within the rear car park.

The new owners - property developers Link ID – purchased the site in December 2022.

Suzanne Elsey of Link ID told KentOnline she is “excited to bring the historic building back to life”.

“After speaking to people in Hythe I know they have been fed up with the eyesore and I think this development will add to the community,” she said.

“It will be nice to see such a historic building being brought back to life as it was left in such a state.

“Hopefully it means there will be housing for people that want to stay in Hythe and will also bring business into this part of the town.”

The pub was originally put up for sale for £1 million in 2018, but due to a lack of interest, the price dropped to £825,000.

After years of failed attempts to find a buyer, it was snapped up by Link ID.

Ms Elsey estimates work at the site will be completed by April this year and says they have already had interest in the properties.

She added: “We are hoping to sell the new homes to local residents or people that want to move into the area.

“Our aim is to improve local neighbourhoods. So we would rather they were not turned into Airbnbs.

“We have already had plenty of interest in the old pub but the council has said the new business can only open until 6pm which could cause us some issues.”

Despite the fact the Dukes Head was able to stay open until 11pm when it was trading, the new business will have some limitations on opening times.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council (FHDC) says within the planning documents that the use of the restaurant premises will be restricted to the hours of 9am-6pm on weekdays and Saturdays.

On Sundays and bank holidays, the commercial space will be open from 9am-4pm.

Ms Elsey says this is something Link ID is not appealing at the moment, but may in the future if it affects the sale of the building.