A former fire station is set to become a restaurant and bar.

Medway Council confirmed it is in “late stages of discussions” with a party interested in the old station in Chatham.

The authority’s chief legal officer Perry Holmes refused to identify those interested in taking on the lease at the New Cut Arches, but said it was “a local business with a tremendous track record”.

Medway Council allocated £190,000 to buy and refurbish the former fire station, although “additional funding has been requested to properly complete the scheme” according to capital budget monitoring reports.

Mr Holmes said: “I’m delighted to confirm we are in the late stages of discussions with a business to changes the arches into a restaurant/cafe in the day, and a bar with music in the evening.

“I’m hopeful that either before or just after Christmas, the frontage will change dramatically in terms of look and feel, and before Easter we should be able to announce who that tenant is.

“They intend to invest a significant sum in bringing it up to standard – we’re investing as well to make it lettable – but they’re intending to invest their own money and all of that is positive for Chatham.”

According to Estates Gazette, renting the 2,516 sq ft property will cost the successful business £20,000 per annum – adding a new source of revenue for the authority.

Concerns were raised about the lack of parking at the site by Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab), suggesting inconsiderate parking could impact the “already tricky” New Cut junction with Railway Street.

But Mr Holmes says he is confident those problems can be mitigated, with New Cut Arches being a short walk away from Chatham railway station and a well-served bus stop.

He added last night (November 29): “I’ve personally parked – which I think I’m entitled to – at the Wickes car park opposite while using the store, and there are other car parks within a short walking distance.

“The railway station is beautifully close to the arches and certainly a conversation I’ve had with the proposed tenants is she’s clear there will be passing trade from train users.

“But hopefully it will also attract people to that part of Chatham as part of the other work that is going on.

“It will be a challenge how people get there by car, I accept that – but there is a good bus route, there are trains closeby, and it’s a walking route into Chatham. That will be for that business to tackle that particular issue.”