The county's high streets have suffered yet another blow with the revelation that a new enterprise planned for a city centre's empty Debenhams department store is now “highly unlikely” to happen.

It follows reports the business behind the venture, called 15:17, has run into financial difficulties.

The company first unveiled its vision for the former Canterbury department store in March last year, having negotiated a lease to take on 80,00sq ft of retail space to open its Fresh, Local and Wild brand.

In August, bosses spoke excitedly of being ready to launch the following month with a mix of retail and entertainment - which was to include activities as diverse as axe-throwing and an escape room.

But no shop fitting work ever began and the old store remains a depressingly empty eyesore in the city centre.

According to Companies House, the director of 15:17, Mercier Mainwairing, resigned in November.

Other key staff have also left the business and several of the firm’s other newly-opened stores across the UK have closed.

There have also been widespread reports in retail and other media of building contractors for 15:17 not being paid, and financial disputes with franchisees in its stores.

Karl Elliott, of city-based Clague Architects, has been involved in the redesign of the building - which is also due to accommodate 72 flats on the upper floors - on behalf of the owners, the 90 North real estate group.

He says no one from 15:17 has been in touch with him since the middle of last year.

“I would have to say that it seems highly unlikely that it will open under the planned guise,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing, of course, because the proposals looked exciting.”

Mr Elliott says that technically 15:17 still have the lease on the building, but if no progress is made, that may be ended and the retail space readvertised for a new tenant.

KentOnline has made efforts to source a comment from 15:17 but no response was forthcoming.