A new lease of life is in store for the empty Marks and Spencer building in Gravesend - after being put up for sale, nearly a year after closing down.

The four-floor department store on New Road is valued at £3million, on commercial property site CBRE.

Gravesham bid goodbye to M&S on September 27 last year, as the chain departed after a century of trading in the town.

News Shopper:

The store under construction in 1959 (image by Ted Pook courtesy of Gravesend Library)

CRBE describes the space as a "prime retail building arranged over four floors, with two trading floors".

Mothercare was the latest shop to close its doors for good in June, leaving Gravesend after 25 years.

Chief executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce Jo James said following the closure: "Despite losing M&S last year the town has continued to trade well and maintain footfall.

News Shopper:

"Shaping the future and setting a long term strategy for the town centre is always going to be a difficult one when the properties are privately owned and out of Council control.

"There needs to be a collaborative approach going forward between the Council and the landlords working together to a shared vision to ensure that we get the right balance going forward for a sustainable town centre."

News Shopper:

The former M&S department store is available on a 15 year lease, costing £280,000-a-year.

The building can also be bought as a freehold, with a quoting price of £3million.

Marks and Sparks fan now have to travel to Bluewater, Dartford or Hempstead Valley in Gillingham to do their shopping.

TODAY'S TOP STORIES: