by Peter Barnett

A crumbling seaside building just yards from the Turner Contemporary gallery is set to get a revamp.

The Fort Road Hotel on Fort Hill was left derelict for more than 20 years.

In December it was bought by Thanet council through compulsory purchase and urgent work has been carried out on the front wall of the building, which was in danger of collapse.

Major repair work needs to be carried out to the property and a structural survey, carried out on behalf of the council, has suggested that, because there is so much to do, demolition is one option.

Over the next six months, the council will actively market the property to see if it can be redeveloped as a small hotel and a restaurant.

There has already been interest from people, who are interested in acquiring the property, one of which is the owner of a five star boutique hotel elsewhere in Kent.

The aim will be to complete work on the site by September 2012.

But if there is no interest within the next six months, an application for consent to demolish the building will be made to the Secretary of State.

Director of community services Madeline Homer said: "Despite its appearance today and its condition over recent years, the Fort Road Hotel is a property full of history.

"It's one of the few buildings surrounding the gallery that Turner would recognise from his era.

"For that reason, it's vital that the council does what it can to find a new use for this building, which we now own.

"We can't wait forever, with an eyesore looming over Turner Contemporary, so that's why we've set a deadline for a viable scheme to come forward.

"We're hopeful, with the interest that's already been shown, and the wonderful location of the Fort Road Hotel, that there is a future for this building within that deadline."

Temporary measures will be put in place ahead of the opening of Turner Contemporary next month to improve the appearance of the building.