Exclusive by Thom Morris

Major retailers Next, River Island and Nando’s have expressed an interest in coming to Gravesend should Heritage Quarter plans be approved next week.

Discussions about moving to the town have taken place over the last few years.

With plans recommended for approval on Tuesday (April 30) bosses from developer Edinburgh House revealed the talks this week.

Development manager Richard Hughes said: “I am thrilled that the retail agents are confirming these big high street chains interest.

“It’s always been our aim to reignite the retail offer in the town with fashion brands and family restaurants.

“It’s key to attracting people back to the town and creating the right mix of shops and leisure offer.

“Gravesend is an ideal location for high street brands and create a vibrant place to live and visit.”

The news comes after we exclusively revealed earlier this month that the manager of Marks and Spencer in Gravesend said that plans for the Heritage Quarter were essential for the long-term future of the store.

The application for the initial phase of the Heritage Quarter will go before a special planning committee meeting at Gravesend’s Civic Centre on Tuesday, April 30, starting at 7pm.

If approved, the first phase will see the building of three buildings to provide 141 flats, restaurants, a 50-bedroom hotel and underground car parks within nine months of planning approval.

Nine months after phase one starts, a detailed planning application for the second phase will be submitted which includes redesigned grounds for St George’s Church, a church hall fronting West Street, a new look for St Andrew’s Gardens, and the St George’s Shopping Centre enlarged.

In this Thursday's Gravesend Messenger, we take an in-depth look at the Heritage Quarter plans and everything you'll need to know ahead of Tuesday's meetings.

What do you think? Emailgravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.ukor write to Gravesend Messenger, 7 High Street, Gravesend, DA11 0BQ.