An opening date for the county’s newest Poundland store has been confirmed.

Faversham, a market town famous for having independent traders rather than national chains, is set to welcome its first-ever branch of the discount retailer.

Taking over the former M&Co building in Preston Street, the brand has announced it is set to throw open its doors for the first time on Saturday, December 2.

The new shop will also feature the Pepco family clothing range, offering a wide variety of garments from lifestyle and athleisure brands such as Cardio Bunny and Bekkin and a “significant” space dedicated to baby and kidswear.

It comes after KentOnline revealed another discount chain, Home Bargains, is poised to take over the former Morrisons superstore in North Lane – with pictures showing the gutted shell of the site ready to be redesigned.

Multi-Save is also still operating out of Market Street, though proposals had been put forward to demolish the building in April.

Faversham has built a reputation as a hotspot for independent traders, rather than chains.

It has no McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks – or even a Chinese takeaway delivery service.

But town councillor Rob Crayford told KentOnline in October he welcomed the potential arrival of Poundland.

“Retail businesses are always welcomed as these bring jobs and help drive the local economy,” he said.

The move comes as Poundland continues to grow rapidly across the country – as it looks to fill the gap left by Wilko.

Austin Cooke, Poundland’s managing director said: “We excitedly continue to open and relocate stores at pace so we can bring our best offer, including all-new clothing, chilled and frozen food to customers, existing and new.

“The monumental effort from our teams continues to amaze me, and it supports jobs and high streets right across Britain.

“That's 86 stores in 70 days that we'll have opened successfully, and no one should underestimate the effort and energy that our teams have put into delivering that achievement.”