Builders are putting the finishing touches to Margate’s harbour arm, just weeks before it opens its doors to the public.

The development, which replaces most of the old fishermen’s huts with cafés, restaurants, shops and art studios, will open on Saturday, May 24, although one of the galleries will open a day earlier for a private viewing.

The harbour is a key part of plans to form a cultural and artistic quarter in Margate and is designed to complement the Turner Contemporary gallery, earmarked for completion in 2010.

It is being developed by Margate Harbour Arm Ltd, which is also responsible for operating the site all year round.

Dr Fiona Sherriff, company director, said: “There have been a lot of challenges, particularly waterproofing the roof and replacing all the doors and windows, but we are still on track.

“Once it’s finished, we hope people will visit in the summer and the winter.

"Obviously there will be days when the weather isn’t on our side, but we expect the harbour arm to be closed for no more than 14 days a year.

“The builders are now working seven days a week, very long hours, to make sure everything is completed on time.

"It’s going to be a very exciting if very busy few weeks.”

Local children and business leaders are being given an opportunity to make their mark on the project by painting and sponsoring tiles that will form one of the walls.

The project is being run by the Isle of Thanet Arts’ Artmonkeys initiative through a series of workshops.

Dr Sheriff said: “This will be a permanent feature of the development and something that people can come and see time and time again.

“It is really cheap advertising for local businesses but we don’t think it’s going to turn into a giant billboard.

“This is a fun concept and the whole idea is that it looks a bit mad and really colourful.”

* For more details about the tiles project, contact Isle of Thanet Arts (IOTA) on (01843) 853117 or Margate Harbour Arm Ltd on (01843) 260260.