A RETAIL unit which was built six years ago as part of the multimillion-pound Pier Hill development in South-end, may not open until next year because of bungling workers.

The eye-catching shop with a rounded front, near the pier’s glass lift, was built without a waterproof roof, causing water and slime to run down its walls.

Work to remedy the problem is now estimated to cost Southend Council up to £200,000 and must be completed before work on a mezzanine level, to house an ice cream parlour, can begin.

A Southend businessman agreed to take on the lease of the building in 2006 after it had been empty for two years.

Terms were agreed for the £15,000-per-year, 25-year lease on the unit, which was to be turned into a restaurant, with an additional £6,000-per-year lease on the mezzanine level to accomodate the ice cream kiosk.

But four years on, the lease has not been finalised because of the damp, while the council is losing £21,000-a-year in rent.

A source close to the businessman, who does not wish to be named, spoke of his exasperation at the long delay in getting the restaurant and kiosk open.

He said: “He has spent tens of thousands of pounds on architects and legal fees. Now an investigation has revealed major problems which mean work on the second phase upper floor can’t go ahead.

“It’s not waterproof above the unit, so water and green slime drip down the walls. It’s a real mess and unlikely to be sorted out until next year.”

There is a long history of problems with the Pier Hill development, which was rushed through in order to meet a deadline to secure a European Union grant.

The council, after seeking expert advice, gave the £6million contract to Fitzpatrick, which was already completing the new pier entrance project.

This did not follow EU tendering processes, which was queried last year by independent auditors Pricewaterhouse-Coopers.

The council has now been told it may have to pay back £1.7million of Government cash. It is fighting against this.

Alan Richards, the council’s group manager for asset management, said: “We are currently working to sort out technical difficulties so the unit can be occupied as soon as possible.”