A campaign has been launched to find a new use for a town's biggest retail area, after a department store moved out three years ago.

Beales was once a popular shopping destination at the Angel Centre in the heart of Tonbridge.

But the store went into administration in January 2020, and the shop closed shortly after, along with 21 other branches across the country.

Since then the building has remained empty.

Now the Tonbridge Conservative group has launched a concerted campaign to persuade Sainsbury's, who are the holders of the lease for the site, to do more to regenerate the building.

A spokesman for the group, Conor Dobbs said: "For nearly three years this premium unit at the heart of Tonbridge has been empty.

"At a time when it is more important than ever to support our High Street and town centre, this is unacceptable.

"The Beales unit is the largest retail unit in Tonbridge that is currently unoccupied and this needs to change quickly."

Sainsbury's is yet to publish any plans for the re-use of the space.

Mr Dobbs said: "Despite multiple requests from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Tom Tugendhat MP and local organisations such as Tonbridge Civic Society, we are still in the dark about what they plan for the unit.

"We are very concerned this is slipping off their radar, so we have launched a petition, alongside our campaign asking for residents far and wide to support our campaign to bring forward plans for the former store. "

The Conservatives suggested there were many things that could be done with the store: it could be used to provide a permanent home for the town's Post Office, temporarily located at Tonbridge Castle, or it could be divided to provide smaller retail units or used to expand the Sainsbury's store that sits behind it.

Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, said: "Nearly three years ago the former Beales unit closed. Since then it has remained closed and the only people who can change this is Sainsbury's."

He said: "For a town like Tonbridge we need to see this site open again. It is important for our town and for everyone who lives, works, and shops in our fantastic town."

Cllr Vivian Branson, the cabinet member for economic regeneration at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said:"For this to drag on for nearly three years is unacceptable. We are calling on Sainsbury's, the owners of the sub-lease, to bring forward plans urgently for its regeneration."

The public can sign the group's online petition here.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: "We appreciate that the local community is keen to see the unit put to use again.

"We are reviewing a number of possible options for the site look forward to providing an update on our plans as soon as we are ready to."

Founded in 1881, Beales operated on the site for 18 years. They took over from another family-run firm, Bentalls in 2002.