Kier walked away after completing enabling works for mixed-use job in Dover after failing to agree a target build cost on the scheme.

The £53m scheme is being developed by Bond City and funded by Legal and General and forms part of Dover District Council’s wider regeneration for the town.

The retail element of the 157,000 sq ft scheme is to be anchored by major brands including Marks & Spencer and Next, while the leisure component includes a six-screen Cine-UK cinema, a 108-room Travelodge hotel and six restaurants.

RG Group took possession of the site as the main contractor at the start of this month.

Work on the 157,000 sq ft scheme is underway with construction works progressing well for the Cineworld, the restaurant block, and the main retail block on Townwall Street. 

Construction of a 108-bed Travelodge hotel is also underway. Maidstone-based, Gallagher Group has been on site since December 2016 and will continue as a sub-contractor. 

Trevor Puttick, Director at RG Group, said: “We look forward to working with both Bond City and Legal & General to deliver an excellent scheme for Dover.’’

Substantial progress has been made on site and practical completion of the development is scheduled for Q1 2018.REG