Sainsbury’s has admitted its new Herne Bay megastore will sit empty for as long as TWO YEARS - days after revealing it was scrapping plans to open in the town.

Developer Urban&Civic is set to hand over the 100,000 sq ft building on the Altira Business Park to the supermarket giant in May.

But on Monday Sainsbury’s shocked the town by pulling the plug on the new superstore - just weeks before its construction is complete.

Herne Bay MP Sir Roger Gale says he now fears the building will become a blot on the landscape.

He told the Gazette: “My main concern – apart from the obvious one that they are not opening – is that we don’t have a derelict building sitting there as a white elephant doing nothing.

“Sainsbury’s says it is still looking to open its store within the next 18 to 24 months.

“In the meantime, I do not want to see a building that is a white elephant sitting there empty.

“They should consider out-of-town shop units, including a smaller Sainsbury’s to serve people in Beltinge and Broomfield.”

Sainsbury’s spokesman Angharad Lynch says the firm does not own the store, but is contracted to a long lease.

She says there are currently no plans for the building, adding that it is “very doubtful” Sainsbury’s would move into the store within the next two years.

“I can’t interfere with their commercial decision, I have no right, but I can concentrate minds and say we have got this big building that we need to make sure Herne Bay benefits from and is not a derelict eyesore..." - Sir Roger Gale

She said: “After a review, we have taken the difficult decision not to open our new store in Herne Bay at this present time.

“Since we first announced our proposals, the retail market has changed considerably and our current plans are no longer viable.

“We are considering our options for the building and will keep the community informed.”

Sir Roger commented: “Personally, I am sceptical that the market will change that much in the next two years, which is why I think we need to start talking now about what is going to happen with that property.

“I have got to accept the reality that the decision was taken at board level.

“I can’t interfere with their commercial decision, I have no right, but I can concentrate minds and say we have got this big building that we need to make sure Herne Bay benefits from and is not a derelict eyesore.”

Sir Roger, who will speak with the Sainsbury’s property director tomorrow (Friday), added that he is “on the case behind the scenes”.

Fears were raised on Monday that the supermarket’s U-turn would put paid to the £2.2m of planned improvements to Herne Bay town centre, paid for in section 106 developer contributions.

However, the works, which were to be funded by developers Urban&Civic, are still on track, according to the council.

City council leader Simon Cook said on Monday: “We have only just been notified of Sainsbury’s decision not to open its store in Herne Bay at the moment and we will be seeking an early discussion with the developer to understand more about the implications and future plans.

“Although it is a shame that we won’t be welcoming Sainsbury’s to Herne Bay at this point, the council remains fully committed to the large and exciting programme of improvements planned for the town including the opening of the new Aldi store and public realm and parking improvements together with other new developments in place.

“We have already received a significant amount of funding for many of these developments and the new Blacksole Bridge will be opening this spring.”

URBAN&CIVIC COMMENT

Bosses at Urban&Civic say their commitment to Herne Bay remains “as strong as ever”.

Spokesman Ellie Sweeney said: “Sainsbury’s recent announcement that they are reviewing plans for their new Herne Bay store was communicated to all stakeholders, including Urban&Civic, on Monday, March 7.

“Sainsbury’s has signed a lease with Urban&Civic for the Herne Bay store and construction of the store together with the commercial units will continue with occupation of the commercial units from April 2016.

“Urban&Civic’s commitment to Herne Bay town centre, in the form of improvements to the public realm and funding for town centre initiatives, remains as strong as ever and we will work with Sainsbury’s towards a successful store opening in due course.

“In the meantime, we look forward to the inauguration of the much-needed Blacksole pedestrian/cycle bridge, also due to open in April this year, for which we have also provided funding.”

Town councillor Andrew Cook (Con), who chairs the Herne Bay Area Member Panel, added his views when the panel met at Herne Bay Baptist Church on Tuesday night.

He said: “I do believe that although we have had a bit of a stumble, who knows, it might turn out to be a stumble for the good.

“We don’t know yet; I think we can look forward to progressing as we go forward.”