Plans to build shops and flats on the site of a burned-out pub will breathe new life into a town centre, a developer believes.

Eye-catching images have been released showing how the project at the former Scruffy Ducks site off William Street in Herne Bay could look.

The prominent plot, which is now a city council-run car park, is expected to finally change hands after going under the hammer on Wednesday.

Current owner Mike Thompson hopes the sale of the land could finally kick-start the project, which was given the go-ahead by the local authority two years-ago.

“It can only make the town get better and better,” he said.

“Herne Bay is an up-and-coming overspill from London.

“Londoners have realised, especially during Covid, that it’s worth selling up, getting a place down here and having money in the bank.”

Mr Thompson expects the 20 flats - which he describes as “very, very large” - to be turned into upmarket homes.

He also says the commercial space on the site could attract a major chain.

“The demand is there for good flats, and they are very, very large,” he added.

“If a chain came in, they could have it as a complete coffee shop, beer shop, bar or whatever, or they could have it as four little retailers.”

The plot has been on the market for £1.4 million for about 18 months.

Over that period, one purchase failed to materialise as a developer struggled to muster the finances needed for the site.

This came after a deal between Mr Thompson and associate Bhajan Singh fell apart in September 2019.

“You get developers who waste your time,” Mr Thompson continued.

“To be fair to Bhajan, he did try his hardest, but his financial backers dropped out.

“There’s nothing wrong with the site at all - we’ve just got the wrong people involved with it.”

Mr Thompson purchased the freehold to the pub in 1991, changing its name to Scruffy Ducks.

After shutting down in June 2004, it became a magnet for squatters and vandals.

The tavern was demolished four years later following a fire that destroyed its roof and made the derelict building unsafe.

Mr Thompson then won planning permission to build a new boozer on the site, along with a basement wine bar and 14 flats. However, the scheme failed to materialise.

He then received the green light for the flats and shops project in 2019.

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