Artists impression of the plans to regenerate the area outside Boots in King Street, Thetford

A delay-struck project to enhance part of Thetford’s King Street is set to be completed by the end of the month.

The £600,000 scheme aims to transform the area outside Boots, in King Street, into a public square.

It has been designed with a stage and terrace where drama groups and brass bands can perform and a new clock tower has been installed between King Street and St Giles Lane.

The scheme, which is a joint project between Thetford Town Council, Norfolk County Council and Breckland Council, was due to be completed before Christmas but has been hit by a number of “unexpected complexities” including the cold and icy weather, archaeological findings in the area, unforeseen pipe work issues and the procurement of specialist materials.

There were also unforeseen complications with the water feature.

At the Moving Thetford Forward panel meeting last week, it was heard how the project was delayed by two months and that members of the public were “very concerned”.

It is hoped, however, that the scheme will be completed by the end of February.

Town councillor Robert Kybird said: “We’ve had some issues with the water feature and part of the site is on an old church, the former St Giles’ Church, where two skeletons were found, which delayed the project for a couple of days while we waited for the archaeologists to carry out their work.

“We then had that cold weather. We are hoping to get it delivered by the end of the month.”

The scheme has been funded by Moving Thetford Forward.

Members of Sort It (School of Radical Thought in Thetford) have voiced their disappointment that the scheme has fallen behind schedule on their Facebook group.

Meanwhile, Stuart Wright, chair of Thetford Society, said: “We’re disappointed that it’s not yet been completed but we look forward to it being brought into use.”