Work on the £30m transformation at Neats Court is ahead of schedule, with parts of it expected to open as early as July.

Developer LXB Retail Properties and contractor Kier have been on the site in Queenborough since October last year.

The revamp, which includes a Morrisons’ store, petrol station, KFC drive-thru and family pub, could create up to 450 jobs.

Giles Haywood,corr of LXB, said the supermarket and fast-food restaurant were about four weeks away from “practical’” completion.

Remaining work for Kier includes glazing, completing cladding panels and landscaping and finishing some external works such as paths.

Once this is done, by about Monday, May 20, the buildings will be handed over to the two companies to fit out.

Morrisons will construct its own petrol station and it is hoped that this and the KFC could be open by Saturday, July 20, with the main store launching around September 1.

Meanwhile, LXB hopes to take its revised plans for phase two of the project, the extra retail units, to Swale council’s planning committee on May 9.

Pets at Home and home furnishings chain B&M Stores have already agreed terms to come to the site and advanced discussions are going on with Poundland.

Mr Haywood said Marston’s is still looking at the site now Morrisons is nearly completed and they are hopeful the firm will commit soon.

If planning permission is approved, it is hoped construction will start later this summer.

“Phase two is obviously a key component of the overall Queenborough and Rushenden Masterplan,” he said.

“We believe locally there is support to see the progress we have made with Morrisons continue and see Neats Court completed.

“Phase two itself will enable a number of national retailers to come to the Island with such retailers not being suitable for or willing to come to Sheerness town centre as they require large, modern and accessible accommodation.

“It will create a further 150-200 local jobs and will inject a further £10m into the local economy.

“It will also act as a catalyst for further development and inward investment in the future.”