The opening date of a town centre's new and bigger Poundland has been revealed.

The budget store will relocate from its current site at 15 High Street, Deal, into the former M&S unit at number 41.

The move was confirmed by KentOnline in October and renovations are ongoing at the shop.

M&S left Deal in April 2019 after more than 80 years in the town as part of the brand's downsizing plans.

At the time a petition opposing its closure gained thousands of signatures.

The store has been empty ever since.

Poundland's current shop will close on Friday, January 7, and the new store will open the next day.

It will be twice the size of the existing Poundland and employ 24 members of staff, with eight new roles created as part of the relocation.

The new shop will include PEP&CO clothing, home furnishings and Poundland’s chilled and frozen food range.

Poundland’s retail and transformation director, Austin Cooke, said: “Deal is a great location for us and our new store in the former M&S building will show off Poundland at its best.

“We can’t wait to open our doors in one of the town’s best locations and we know that customers in Deal are going to love the extended ranges on offer at Poundland’s amazing value."

It is not yet known what, if anything, will fill Poundland's current unit after it moves.