By Hayley Robinson

The opening of the new town centre Tesco Metro store has been delayed.

It was due to open in the former Somerfield unit at The Forum shopping centre on January 3.

But a spokesman for the supermarket giant said this week it will now open on February 21.

It is believed construction work has fallen behind schedule.

The new store is at the forefront of the company’s plans to transform the railway station end of town. Its proposals include a Tesco Extra and 11 new retail stores on land north of the railway with a bridge linking them to the town centre.

There will also be an extension to The Forum and improvements to its current entrances.

Plans also show a new hotel, restaurants and cafes which would form part of the new public square. There would also be the potential for new council offices, homes and a new multi-storey car park.

Tesco would not say how many homes, how big the hotel would be or what the overall cost of the development could reach.

The plans are being looked at by council officers and will be submitted to the planning committee later his year.

To see the plans and have your say visit the website
www.spenhillsittingbourne.co.uk