Medway’s first Sainsbury’s Local shop could open by May.

It is being fitted out in an empty shop in Gillingham Road, Gillingham, which used to sell mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

Hoardings are up around the site and the old shopfront has been pulled down revealing the old building behind.

The supermarket, which has taken over the first floor of the building known as Medway House, will create up to 25 jobs.

Sainsbury’s Local stores generally trade from 7am to 11pm, and deliveries would be made from the store’s car park.

It is next door to a Co-op convenience store.

Mark Rush, Sainsbury’s regional acquisitions manager, said: “A Sainsbury’s Local store would be the perfect addition to this area of Gillingham.

“Sainsbury’s Locals are designed for people ‘topping-up’ their weekly shop and cater to the needs of local people by providing fresh and essential products.

“The site is within a large residential area and will provide a number of jobs for local people.”