Traders involved in a desperate race against time to find new premises could be given longer to continue to their search.

As reported previously, business owners at the Klondyke Industrial Estate in Queenborough faced an August deadline to relocate.

It follows Homes and Community Agency (HCA) plans to build up to 1,200 homes on the site off Rushenden Road as part of the area’s regeneration project.

It left about 30 companies looking for alternative units, including Ron Knight, whose haulage firm, Ron’s Low Loader and Son, has been based at the Klondyke since 1988.

Swale council has been asked to help Mr Knight and others rehouse their companies.

Although the search continues, it has been announced HCA is in talks with the site’s owners to allow traders more time.

A council spokesman said: “HCA has recently held initial discussions with the head-lessee at the Klondyke site to explore the possibility of extending their agreement.

“We should be able to confirm the position sometime in the next few weeks.”

Mr Knight, 69, a spokesman for the Klondyke traders, said he feared losing his livelihood if he and others were evicted from the site without finding alternative accommodation.

In welcoming the potential stay of execution, he said: “I’m very happy talks are taking place about an extension. Obviously, the problem won’t go away.

“We’ve still got to find somewhere else to go to. Hopefully, we can have talks with HCA to see if they can come up with a possible site.

“We still have about 30 traders looking for alternative premises. But for the time being at least, things are looking a bit rosier.”

A meeting is being held on Monday, February 2, to discuss the plight of the Klondyke’s traders.

It is being organised by Queenborough Town Council and it is hoped representatives from Swale council and the HCA will attend.

The amended Queenborough and Rushenden regeneration plan will also be on the agenda.

The town council is opposed to the alternative proposal which reduces the building of new houses in town from 2,000 to 1,180, and does not include a previously earmarked marina.

Queenborough’s Guildhall in the High Street hosts the meeting from 7.30pm.