Work starts to demolish Fanum House as part of St James's retail and leisure development

Contractors are due to start demolishing Fanum House on the corner of Russell Street and Townwall Street next week as part of the St James's retail and leisure development in Dover town centre. The building was formerly owned by the AA and P&O Ferries, and was acquired by Dover District Council in February 2012 and vacated in summer 2013.

The St James's retail and leisure development will provide 120,000 sq. ft. of new space in the heart of Dover town centre with a 6-screen multiplex cinema, restaurants, hotel, and retail units, including anchor tenants, Cineworld and M&S.

The Fanum House site forms part of the largest retail section of the development and includes a 16,000 sq. ft. M&S store, along with a further seven retail units ranging in size from 6,210 sq. ft. to 8,680 sq. ft.

Nadeem Aziz, Chief Executive of Dover District Council, said: "Financing and acquiring the land interests for this important development for Dover has been a long process. We are now in possession of around 95% of the freehold land and while our plan for the compulsory purchase of the outstanding leasehold interests and remaining land is underway our development partner will continue to negotiate with the affected parties to reach agreement where possible."