A derelict arcade described as a “long-running sore” could start to be redeveloped this year, council bosses say.

A number of bidders have lodged offers for the rundown shell of the old Tivoli amusements in Central Parade, Herne Bay, having been put on the market by Canterbury City Council last year.

The seafront site up for sale – which includes the Beach Street car park behind – already has planning permission for three shops and 31 homes.

And local authority leader Ben Fitter-Harding believes work to tear down the decrepit structure could begin within months.

“The Tivoli site has been a long-running sore, one that the council was so desperate to resolve we ended up acquiring it,” the Tory boss said.

“There appears to have been a successful marketing period with strong offers available to the council.

“That suggests the site will be able to be redeveloped in the relatively near future.

“They will see the site redeveloped in a way that would be positive for the area.”

The city council bought the Tivoli building four years ago for £1.1 million, having hoped to transform it and the car parks to the rear itself.

But as potential construction costs spiralled and the authority faced the prospect of shelling out £40,000 alone to demolish the long-vacant arcade, it changed tack last year.

The site was subsequently put on the market by Cradick Retail, as a search was launched for a development partner or a buyer.

Cllr Fitter-Harding says the regeneration project could trigger a wave of change on the coast, if the town’s £13 million levelling-up fund bid is also given the green light.

As part of the ambitious plans, the authority wants to expand the King’s Hall’s capacity to 1,200, open a seafront bar and café, improve its acoustics and create a professional music production suite.

“If the Tivoli comes through at the same time as the levelling-up fund, it could mark a period of significant regeneration for the town’s seafront,” Cllr Fitter-Harding added.

“The arcade was poised to be redeveloped by us, but Covid put paid to that scheme.

“We were very tightly balancing the finances for that anyway, as it wasn’t going to make a return.

“If the successful bidder is doing the planning permission that’s already there then I’d expect to see it start this year, or if it’s a different scheme that’ll then take a bit longer.”

Senior Herne Bay councillor Andrew Cook (Con) says most of his colleagues in the town want to see a hotel built in place of the former amusements.

“We’re still short of beds,” he said. “A hotel would help the King’s Hall and everything else nearby.”

The closing date for offers to either buy the site or develop it in partnership with the city council has since passed.

A decision on its future will be made this summer.