ALMOST six years after pulling the plug on a multi-million pound scheme for a new supermarket, Tesco is still interested in a move to Staplehurst.

The suggestion first appeared on a village website, where it was rumoured that Tesco had bought the lease to a warehouse in Station Road, used by GMS.

The claim turned out to be false, but Tesco has admitted that it still wants a store in the area.

In 2003, Tesco teamed up with Network Rail to redevelop the station site with parking for 600 cars and a 21,800 sq ft store, similar in size to the one at Grove Green, Maidstone.

The plan was given the thumbs up by villagers with reservations about traffic emerging on to the busy A229.

But in 2005 Tesco announced it was withdrawing from the project due to insurmountable difficulties with officers at Maidstone council.

A spokeswoman at the time said: “I can confirm that we would still like to come to Staplehurst but cannot say what our future plans will be.”

This week the company’s corporate affairs manager Nick Gellatly said: “Clearly we would like to come to the area but have no immediate plans.”

Pamela Luck, company secretary of GMS, was concerned by the latest rumours.

She said they could damage the successful business which sells granite, marble, stone and wood floorings.

She said: “The first I heard about it was when the warehouse manager said he had found it on the village forum website.

“There is no truth in the rumour.

“We own the building so Tesco can’t take over the lease.

“I am very worried it could affect our business.”