Sheerness steel mill appears no closer to reopening for the time being.

In September there appeared to be fresh hope that parts of the mill could reopen after takeover talks regarding the Brielle Way site, rumoured to include a consortium from Ukraine.

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate Guy Nicholson and members of the Community Union, which represents many of the former mill workers, have been calling on any prospective buyers to first look on the Island for a workforce. It is hoped the site could reopen within months.

Mr Nicholson said: “We are still in the position where we do not have a confirmed date.

“I think that’s to be made clear. Although we are anticipating April/May time, there’s no definitely confirmed date.

“There are emerging issues such as union recognition within the new terms and conditions of the new workforce.

“There’s still a very great need for us to keep hammering home the point that what we have got on the Island is an experienced and skilled workforce that could at very short notice get into that plant and put it into operation.”

He warned about the danger of “lower-quality” jobs being brought forward with lower wages and zero-hour contracts.

It is believed any possible re-opening would involve the rolling mill side of the operation and not any actual steel making.

MP Gordon Henderson (Con), who has been involved in long-running talks regarding the site’s future, says he is hopeful there might be progress at the end of the month.

This is once a legal battle is resolved between Peel Land and Property, which owns the site, and Sheerness Steel concerning ownership of the assets.