Bosses of a pizza chain have vehemently denied they are trying to bring a "cross between a Pizza Express and a pub" to Kingston's historic Market House.

The Stable, an upmarket pizza, pie and cider chain, has applied for planning permission to turn the Market Place landmark into its latest restaurant.

The restaurant went before Kingston Council's licensing sub-committee yesterday to ask permission to sell alcohol until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

It had reduced its alcohol sale proposals by 30 minutes after police branded the application “unacceptable”.

Licensing officer PC James Hartland recommended reducing the alcohol sale hours further and adding a "restaurant clause", meaning anyone who wanted to drink in The Stable would have to purchase a significant meal.

Council environmental protection officer Richard Odell and Kingston police officers visited The Stable's Whitechapel branch to judge whether it would fit in in the ancient marketplace.

Mr Odell said: "From my observations it is not a high-end restaurant. [To me] it is a cross between a Pizza Express and a public house.

"It is a lovely environment and I wouldn't mind drinking there. Would it fit in in Kingston?"

Andy Cooper, who helped start the brand in 2009, bridled visibly at the characterisation.

He said the Kingston site would not be like the one in Whitechapel, which was formerly The Rhythm Factory nightclub and still showcases live music.

He added that because of the quiet setting in Kingston the new branch would also not offer the drink deals that other sites see.  

The chain's newly opened Kew restaurant offers a "bottomless brunch", which includes a pizza and all-you-can-drink prosecco or Bloddy Marys for £25.  

Mr Cooper said: "We know this site is a very sensitive one. [In Whitechapel] we would have been stupid not to keep that music following.

"In Kingston we would treat the building much differently."