Plans to open a wine bar in a former stationery shop have fallen through.

Husband and wife team Jo and Nick Rutter were going to turn the shop in Middle Row, Ashford, into a drinking establishment.

But the pair, who gained planning permission for the venture from Ashford Borough Council (ABC), have now pulled out.

Richard Stafford, director of chartered surveyor Stafford Perkins, has put the property back on the market.

He said: "Planning permission was granted but they have pulled out because they weren't able to get rid of their previous site.

"To get that permission has required some slightly onerous constrictions, but it is still there if someone wants to start a wine bar."

Mr and Mrs Rutter, who have run a pub in Welling for 15 years, were going to call the Grade II-listed site the London Bar.

Although wine would have featured heavily on the drinks list, the landlords were also planning to offer lagers, spirits and bottled beers.

The property is being offered at an annual rent of £10,000.

Permission was granted but with a raft of conditions imposed by ABC, including a ban on live or loud recorded music.

Opening times were restricted to 10am to 9pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

On Sundays, the bar would have had to shut at 8pm.