Work on parts of the second phase of the £30 million Neats Court retail development should be complete by the beginning of August.

The building which is currently being put up on the site in Queenborough will be for home furnishings chain B&M Stores and Iceland – phase 2a.

Developer LXB Retail Properties has also just put in revised plans to Swale council for what’s known as phase 2c of the project.

This is for smaller retail space and restaurant units and it is hoped it will create between 50 and 75 jobs.

The altered proposal includes a slight increase in floorspace and a change to what the buildings could be used for.

Within the planning application, LXB says it has identified there is a requirement for flexible office and workshop accommodation for small existing businesses, and also to encourage local business start-ups as there is no such managed accommodation on the Island.

There is no news yet on which companies will be going into these potential units but if planning permission is granted, construction will begin late this year.

Work on phase 2b, which includes the premises for Sports Direct and Poundland, will be finished by the beginning of October.