A new one-stop shop for public services in a prominent town centre location has taken a step forward.

Swale councillors have approved a recommendation to double their financial contribution to the Gateway project from £150,000 to £300,000, at a meeting on Wednesday.

It is a joint venture with Kent County Council that would be based in the former Woolworths building.

The extra money will come from the Swale’s Partnership Fund, which would essentially be repaid through an expected under-spend of revenue money from the 2009/10 budget.

Swale will also make a further yearly contribution of £55,000 to revenue costs, which is the amount spent on the running costs of the existing premises in Trinity Road.

Other partners have already given their space requirements, these are: Libraries, KCC adult education, KCC adult social services and Seashells.

But organisations including AmicusHorizon, Kent Police and various health providers are also in discussions about getting involved.

If all partners sign up the project will see the whole of the former shop transformed, but in a worst case scenario where no other contributing partners take part, KCC has said the scheme could continue on a reduced basis just from the ground floor initially with Swale’s contribution remaining at £150,000.

Abdool Kara, Swale’s chief executive, has given his backing to the project saying it will be of huge benefit to the town. He said: "My ambitions are that we have an absolutely excellent, top drawer, cutting-edge facility for local people.

"There is some anxiety from local traders about what it will do to the town centre but all the statistics from the other Gateways say it will increase footfall.

"It will be a focal point for the town and people will travel to it and use the other shops."

His sentiments were echoed by council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles, who hopes the Gateway will encourage more people to Sheerness town centre and said it was a key part of the regeneration of Sheerness.

Before any structural work can start, planning permission for the change of use from retail is needed.

The cost of repairs to remedy faults including rising damp, a bowed pitched roof, rotting timber in the flat roof areas, a new boiler and heating system and redecorating, has been estimated at £215,000.

Councillors were expected to approve 'disposing’ of the property as soon as possible, while still honouring the contract with tenant Sharrock Insurance Services, whose lease expires in 2011.