A supermarket, a delicatessen and discount clothing and homeware stores will add to Medway’s retail scene over the next weeks.

The long-awaited M&S Foodhall, which will have its own cafe, will open at a unit on the site of the old B&Q at Strood Retail Park in August.

B&M is also due to open at the site, with jobs now being advertised online.

Peacocks is in the process of moving into the Dockside Outlet Centre at Chatham Maritime and is due to start trading at the end of the month.

And in Rochester, The Cheese Shop is opening just a few doors away from the owners’ other business, Topes restaurant, in the High Street.

The new business boom across the Towns has been welcomed by Cllr Jane Chitty, who is in charge of regeneration and economic growth.

Cllr Chitty said: “It’s great news and shows the confidence of businesses investing in Medway.

“It shows this change and upturn in the Towns

“The businesses coming here show diversity. You can’t put all your eggs into one basket.”

Cllr Chitty represents Strood, where it has already been confirmed that electronics specialist Maplins will be moving on to the retail park. The Gym Group will also open there in September.

An M&S spokesman said: “We’re looking forward to bringing a new Marks & Spencer Foodhall to the Strood Retail Park in Medway in August.

“We will update the community soon as plans for the store opening progress.”

Julie and Chris Small, business directors of the award-winning Topes, have opened their new venture at the former The Fent Shop, which sold textiles.

The shop will include a small restaurant and cookery school, and will sell cured meats, pickles and breads, as well as British and continental cheeses.