There is no shortage of pubs in Bexleyheath, but the wait is nearly over for its newest boozer.

It has been a long few months for the brains behind the Kentish Belle, a micropub that is set to open in Pickford Lane.

Planning permission was granted earlier this year Nicholas Hair and Martin Welch to move into the old discount store but they were forced to reapply for planning so they could serve food in their new boozer.

That application was submitted earlier this month, but Mr Hair said the Belle will be opening soon regardless.

Mr Hair said: "We will open either way, hopefully with food. We want to serve nice cheeseboards and and bruschetta, no other pubs are doing that and it's all the things I like.

"I'm a cider man so people can expect the best ciders. We have been brewing a beer for eight months, and we hope to drink that on opening night. It will be like treacle.

"There are some great local businesses, a butchers up the road who sells lovely scotch eggs and we plan to stock some really good crisps that not everyone will have heard of."

Martin and Nicholas have adopted a labrador puppy that will be spending a lot of its time in the Kentish Belle as it trains to be a guide dog.

Mr Hair said: "It has been an arduous year, but we are excited to be nearly finished. We've completely gutted the shop and all the plumbing and electrics are nearly ready, then it will just be soft furnishings. We've restored a lovely art deco staircase.

"We hope to be open soon, and we will follow all the classic micro pub rules of no phones, encouraging the art of conversation.

"Stockley our dog will be around too, so people can meet him."

There are five other micro pubs in Bexley, but Martin and Nicholas hope the location will set theirs apart.

In their application letter earlier this year, they said: "The area around Bexleyheath station will be a perfect site as it will be supported by good commuter traffic whilst also giving back by bringing more

people to the area to enjoy our very different business model and then go on to use local restaurants and other local pubs as well as local shops."

The pub will be serving craft ales, wine, small batch whisky and cider and will open with a family and friends launch in as soon as a months time.