Crime-riddled pub The Mill in Canterbury to be converted into a corner shop

Ambitious plans to transform an old troubled pub into a corner shop are striding forward — despite fears over “traffic chaos”.

Developer Jeyarajah Jeyanathan revealed hopes to overhaul The Mill in Canterbury into a convenience store and three flats, last December.

Residents have voiced dismay over perceived congestion and parking issues.

Yet Mr Jeyanathan has attempted to allay concerns in a letter to Canterbury City Council, explaining he has more than 10 years retail experience.

“He would like to start this retail store to benefit the locals and make use of the premises,” his team wrote.

But residents living near the vacant pub in Sturry Road – formerly called The Run of the Mill – claim the development could worsen “already-hideous” traffic congestion .

In a letter sent to the city council, neighbour Lorna Pollock said: “Traffic chaos and parking difficulties already exist in this area.

“Resident parking for this proposed development must be unambiguous.

“The proposed shop would further exacerbate traffic flow and impact parking.”

Neighbour Emma Twyman voiced “great concerns about parking” outside her block of flats, with “people thinking my private drive is a public parking space”.

Meanwhile, Day Day International Food Store manager Mahmud Mariwah, whose shop is just two doors away, is worried his takings would be squeezed by the launch of a rival.

The 49-year-old, who says his business is already struggling with hikes to import prices, stressed staff “are worried about it all”.

If successful, the shop would be able to sell alcohol between 6am and midnight seven days a week.

The site has been left empty for four years, having changed hands twice since it called last orders.

It was sold at a cut price to new owners in autumn 2020, and Chatham-based firm Marcoz Properties & Developments Ltd lodged a bid to convert the pub into two flats.

However, rather than awaiting the outcome of the application, the then-owners sold it at auction in 2022.

In planning documents submitted at the time, bosses at Marcoz, said: “Rather than being a force for good and positive service within the community, the pub has had the opposite influence and the police have effectively forced it into closure.

“It has been the focus of a degree of petty crime and anti-social behaviour, which has made it impossible for operators to succeed.”

Also once known as Waterloo Tavern and Saxby’s, The Mill closed down in 2019, not long after a cannabis factory was discovered at the property.

Once a popular haunt with soldiers from the old Army barracks, it is said to have become unviable when police ordered bosses to employ security staff every night to tackle petty crime and anti-social behaviour.

Another contributing factor to its demise was the launch of the £115 million Riverside complex, which saw rival food and drink businesses move in just a stone’s throw away from the old boozer.

Papers for the scheme show the planned shop will have 100 sq m of floor space.

The area to the rear of the business will be transformed into a flat, while two more will be created above.

Northgate councillor Alan Baldock agreed with residents that traffic and parking are particular issues in the area, but says this does not mean the proposal can be blindly dismissed.

Speaking to KentOnline last year, he admitted the plans represented “a big change for the residents”.

“The congestion at peak times is hideous,” he added.

The original application to convert the building was submitted in September last year – though a decision is yet to be made.