Sainsbury’s bosses say they are still considering a number of options for their empty Herne Bay store, but have rubbished rumours about Asda moving in.

Developer Urban&Civic handed the building over to Sainsbury’s at the end of April, almost two months after bosses revealed they were pulling out of the town.

Rumours circulating online suggested the giant store could be taken over by Asda in time for Christmas, but a spokesman for the supermarket chain said it has no current plans for the town.

Herne Bay Town Partners chairman Gideon Scott said: “The Asda name does keep getting mentioned, but I don’t think they are interested as they have got their store at Sturry.

“Possibly Sainsbury’s will consider leasing it, but that is down to them.

“Until they decide what they want to do, they are not going to be spending millions of pounds in fitting it out.”

The 100,000 sq ft building on the Altira Business Park has sat empty since April.

Mr Scott added: “We speak to the developers regularly and they have told us that the building is rented by Sainsbury’s and only they will make the decision on opening it.

“It is a shame as it is a beautiful, state-of-the-art building, which Sainsbury’s are still to fit out.

“We are waiting to hear any news.”

Fears were raised earlier this year that the supermarket’s U-turn would put paid to £2.2 million of planned improvements to Herne Bay town centre, paid for with developer contributions, but Mr Scott said: “The public square is still under construction at Wimereux Gardens and I am being told it will probably open in October.

“The works started late and they are a bit behind schedule, but they are continuing. When the new square opens there will be some kind of opening event.”

Sainsbury’s spokesman David Mills said they will keep the community informed.

He said: "We are continuing to look at a number of options regarding the future of the building and will keep people updated."