A prominent empty town centre building looks set to stay as it is for now.

The former Bar One pub in Sheerness is owned by Ozer Osturk, who paid £230,000 for the premises at auction in 2011.

He was granted planning permission by Swale council to turn it into seven one-bedroom flats and the ground floor into a restaurant.

The businessman was hoping to persuade chains such as Nando’s to move in.

But he was unable to attract any big names to the site and put it up for auction the following year.

It had a guide price of £190,000 to £200,000 but the building, at 1 High Street, failed to sell.

Speaking this week, Mr Osturk said he is still thinking about what to do with it.

It is not on the market but he says he may decide to try to sell it again if he can get a good price.

Planning permission will expire towards the end of this year as it was granted on condition that development starts within three years.

Vandals who targeted it recently damaged a window and stole copper piping worth £500.