The former city council offices in Herne Bay will continue to sit empty for at least two more months - despite closing more than a year ago.

The William Street facility locked its doors in December 2017 after it was revealed only 25 people per day had been using it.

Canterbury City Council says it was hoped the offices would form part of the Central Development Area (CDA) plan.

Its first phase involved the opening of the Aldi supermarket in King’s Road, and discussions with a chain about erecting an 80-bed budget hotel above new shops and restaurants in William Street car park were being conducted for its second stage.

But it was revealed in January that the council had decided to scrap the plans after concluding the scheme was “no longer financially viable”.

Council spokesman Rob Davies said: “Given their proximity to what would have been the second phase of the CDA, there was the potential for something connected to the scheme to happen with the offices, which is why nothing has moved forward.

“Now that phase two of the CDA is no longer going ahead, we need to decide on the best use of the building in the future, and this will be a key issue for the newly elected council in May to consider.”

Beltinge resident John Harper thinks a range of businesses and community groups would be eager to move into the building because of its proximity to the town centre.

He says it is currently being “wasted” and has accused the council of failing to properly plan for its future.

'It seems like such a waste of a resource. It doesn’t seem terribly well thought through really...' - John Harper

“There have been no signs of any work being carried out to make even temporary use of this relatively new building,” the 67-year-old said.

“It seems like such a waste of a resource. It doesn’t seem terribly well thought through really.

“The council must have known it was going to close some time ago and surely plans to relocate staff would have included a degree of consultation about alternative use of the space.”

Mr Harper believes the local authority should go to greater lengths to inform residents about its plans for the vacant building.

“I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s curious about the long-term plans for it,” he added.

“More could be done to keep people informed about the future plans for the offices.”

The decision to close the office was expected to save the council £60,000.

Those who used it now have to travel to the council’s headquarters in Canterbury or use its services online or over the phone.