A new contractor has still not been announced for the Sheerness Gateway Centre.

Last week we reported the announcement was expected by the end of the week.

But a spokesman for Kent County Council said it now hopes to have the details and an opening date for the centre at some point next week.

The opening of the one-stop shop for public services was delayed after Swale Borough Council and KCC were forced to re-tender the centre’s main contractor.

It had originally been due to open in April but because the preferred company was not willing to absorb the cost implications of any risks of running over time and budget, they had to re-tender.

It is hoped that as soon as a new contractor is confirmed, work will start straight away.

The £1.3 million project, based in the former Woolworths store in the High Street, is a joint venture with the two councils and will house services including Kent Police, Job Centre Plus and Age Concern.

A spokesman for KCC said: “We had expected to announce this week the details of the new contract and an opening date. We now hope to do this at some time next week.”

The development has attracted a lot of criticism from Islanders who would have preferred a retailer in the premises.