The multi-million pound redevelopment of the Tonbridge Sainsbury’s reaches its final milestone today as the store prepares for its official unveiling. To allow staff to complete the final layout changes and ensure the new departments are fully stocked, the store will close its doors early at 4pm today.
This brief closure marks the end of a complex construction phase that has seen the site transformed into a modern flagship supermarket. Residents and shoppers will be able to experience the full extent of the 45,000-square-foot facility when it opens tomorrow at 9am.
What to Expect at the 9am Opening
The project has completely reimagined the retail space, merging the former Beales unit with the original supermarket to create a vastly expanded shopping environment. Key features of the new-look store include:
- A New Clothing and Home Section: The non-food section now at 15,000 square feet, providing a significantly larger home for Tu clothing and Habitat products, alongside a relocated Argos.
- Refreshed Food Hall: With a 29% increase in food sales area, the store now stocks over 30,000 additional products, with a strong focus on fresh Kentish produce at the front of the shop.
- Modernised Store Flow: The checkout area has been redesigned to run parallel to the front windows, creating a brighter atmosphere. A new entrance corridor near the Angel Centre has also been introduced to improve accessibility.
- Environmental Upgrades: The site now includes sustainable infrastructure such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, as well as an ultra-rapid Smart Charge EV hub in the rear car park.
- Improved Facilities: Beyond the expanded product ranges, the store features wider aisles and entirely new customer toilets, all designed to modernise the 1980s-era building.
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