IT IS now nearly a year since the doors closed at one of Whitstable's biggest stores but the plans for its future are uncertain.

Courts closed their furniture store in the High Street in October last year because of the new superstore in Wincheap, Canterbury.

The building was sold and it was understood that the new owners were planning to convert the top floors to flats.

But no plans have been submitted and the building has stood empty for a year.

Robin Waters, president of Whitstable Chamber of Commerce, said: "Something needs to be done with it. It would be nice to have a business in there but I think the building needs a lot of work and there are access problems. But it is a shame for such a large building in the town centre to stand empty."

A council spokesman said: "We have not had a planning application in yet but that doesn't mean one won't be submitted at some stage."