Twenty new jobs could be created if former town pub is transformed into a Tesco Express.

The supermarket giant has submitted a planning application to Swale council to make The Cherry Tree in Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, a shop.

Owners Enterprise Inns closed the venue on August 9 last year to decide its future.

Weeks later rumours started circulating on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter that Tesco had shown at interest in the site.

It denied there was any truth in the gossip but the statement issued to the News Extra still didn’t make the company’s intentions clear.

It said: “We look at hundreds of potential sites every year but only a small percentage of these go on to become a Tesco store.

“While we are aware of the site on Canterbury Road, we have no agreement in place to take this forward.

“Should we decide to pursue the site, we will consult with the community at the earliest opportunity.”

Almost a year to the day, a proposal has now been put forward to demolish the existing single storey extension, build a single storey rear extension, install plant equipment to the rear of the building and carry out alterations to the front and rear including a new shopfront on the ground floor.

The company also wants to change the use of the upper floors to residential comprising of one, two bedroom flat and one, three bedroom flat plus a roof garden and alterations to the existing car park.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We’re really pleased to be bringing forward our plans for a Tesco Express in Sittingbourne providing a range of fresh groceries and convenience goods.

“Should we gain planning permission the store will create 20 new jobs for local people and provide a quality store for local residents to use in between their weekly shop.”