Cllr Bowles toured the site and was shown the piling rig, which is laying the foundation for the Bourne Place leisure site.

After the tour, the councillors met with some of the local people who are employed on site. Frank, who lives in Sittingbourne, started working as a gateman after asking the site manager for a job on the site.

Speaking about the regeneration, Frank said:

“We see a lot of people very happy about what’s going on here and I am as well because I’m local. I think it’s brilliant, definitely something Sittingbourne needs and will hopefully bring more people here”.

The work will involve the construction of a new restaurant quarter, with restaurants including Nandos, Pizza Express and more yet to be announced.

As well as the restaurants, a state of the art cinema and Travel lodge will complete the square.

The work on the site is due to complete in 2019, with the fit out occurring before the opening of the restaurants and cinema in early 2020.