Discount retailer The Range said this week that it will be taking over the former Morrisons site opposite the railway station in Tunbridge Wells.
The confirmation ends weeks of confusion about the intentions of the home, garden and leisure giant.
The move was first revealed exclusively by the Times on May 11 in a front-page story.
However, following publication The Range issued a media statement that said: “We don’t currently have any plans to open a new store in the location mentioned [Tunbridge Wells].”
The denial was picked up and reported by other media outlets.
Following further exchanges of emails the company this week told the Times: “We are delighted to confirm that The Range will be opening a new store in Tunbridge Wells later in the year. It will be located at Vale Road, TN1 1BT.”
The company, which already has more than 100 stores nationwide offering 65,000 products, did not disclose an opening date. The Times, however, understands that the current target date is early September with scores of new jobs being created.
Sources close to the project said that at one point it looked as though the purchase of the site might be put on hold because of difficulties recruiting staff.
Morrisons closed on April 2 and there were fears the site might be left empty and become an ‘eyesore’, as it did when it was previously left boarded up for six years.
