Tonbridge Bean

Earlier this month, we shared an update on the long-anticipated redevelopment of the former Beales site in Tonbridge town centre (if you missed it, you can catch up here). And now, there’s some exciting news to build on that story.

This week, local MP Tom Tugendhat confirmed a major milestone: work on the new Sainsbury’s will begin in the coming weeks, with the store set to open by March 2026.

The update follows a visit from Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, who met with Tom Tugendhat in Tonbridge to discuss the plans. According to the MP’s latest newsletter, Sainsbury’s is investing over £20 million in the development. That funding will transform the long-vacant Beales unit into a modern store offering an expanded range of food, clothing, and hardware, with a particular focus on British produce – including fruit grown right here in Kent.

In total, the new store will carry over 30,000 additional products, offering a significant boost to the high street and much more choice for local shoppers.

The redevelopment will take place in phases. First, the former Beales unit will be converted, then Sainsbury’s will move out of their current unit and begin refurbishing that space too. It’s a carefully managed plan aimed at minimising disruption while delivering a major transformation.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that a big Sainsbury’s revamp is “on the way.” Some locals have grown understandably sceptical over the years, with whispers that plans have been in the pipeline for far too long without visible progress. It’s fair to say that many in Tonbridge will believe it when they see it – but with CEO-level commitments and a start date now confirmed, the wheels finally do seem to be in motion.

Tom Tugendhat credited the success of the “3 Years Empty is Plenty” campaign, led by Tonbridge Conservatives, with helping to bring the project to life. At a time when other supermarkets are closing stores, this investment is being positioned as a strong vote of confidence in Tonbridge.

So, is this finally the turning point for the former Beales site? We’ll continue to report on the redevelopment as it unfolds. For now, it’s great to have a clearer timeline and to know that—after years of speculation—bricks, mortar and bulldozers may soon replace the rumours.

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