Barkers, a high end offshoot of Pets At Home, opened its first store in Cheshire last year and offers pooches everything from gluten-free organic food to Reiki massage.

The Sevenoaks opening comes as the company looks to expand into the South East following the opening of a shop in Marlow, Bucks, earlier this year.

Speaking last year Peter Pritchard, from Barkers, said: "Our objective was to create the best dog shop in the world and I think we've done it.

"This is different from any store we have created before, with an environment which is for discerning dogs and the people who love them."

The proposed premises at 98 High Street has been empty since Russell and Bromley closed in December. The shoe shop was one of Sevenoaks' longest standing stores, having traded in the town for more than a century.

Planning applications for signs and the shop front are currently in the hands of the district council.