The chairman of Sheerness Town Team says he supports ongoing development at Neats Court.

Lidl is the latest store looking to move to the Queenborough retail park and a planning application has been submitted on behalf of the supermarket chain.

With plans in place for Sports Direct and a Marston’s pub to join the five big-name businesses already at the site, it’s raised questions about the future of Sheerness High Street.

John Nurden, who took over as town team leader in September, said: “On a personal note, I welcome the development at Neats Court.

“It’s keeping money on the Island and attracting inward investment to Sheppey.

“We’re going to have to make sure Sheerness High Street can continue to give shoppers an alternative to what’s on offer elsewhere.”

In a letter to Swale council on behalf of LXB Retail Properties, the developer behind the £25m transformation of Neats Court, it was noted the company had paid nearly £500,000 to improve Sheppey’s bus and public transport connections to the retail park.

It said £100,000 had also been secured “to enhance the shopping environment and attractiveness” of Sheerness town centre.

Mr Nurden said the council was already looking at ways to invest the money and the issue will form part of discussions at a town team meeting scheduled for later this month.

He offered his own ideas on how funds could benefit the High Street.

“We want to bring Sheerness back to life to prove it’s a holiday town,” he said.

“Over the years, the holiday camps of Sheppey have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds on facilities to put on really high-class entertainment for their guests.

“We’d like holiday camps to showcase what they have to offer by providing acts to put on a show in the town centre as a seaside spectacular.”

Mr Nurden added: “I’d also like to see a “Welcome to Sheerness-on-Sea” sign resurrected opposite the railway station.

“If you arrive in Sheerness by train there’s nothing there to welcome to you and we need to prove to people we’re proud of our town.

“And it’s important any sign must retain the “on-sea” part to remind people how special Sheerness is.

“We have to look after the High Street as it should be seen as our jewel in the crown.”