MANAGERS from Tesco are scheduled to be in Tenbury this morning (Thursday, July 9) for a meeting that it is hoped will lead to a start of the first part of the long awaited supermarket project.

Two managers from the troubled international supermarket chain will be in town to meet with Councillor Tony Penn, who represents Tenbury on Malvern Hills District Council, and the Tenbury Museum Society.

It is hoped that this will clear the way for the conversion of the old fire station into a new museum and heritage centre.

The scheme to move the museum from its cramped old school room premises on to a prime site in the centre of the town was always part of the supermarket development proposal.

Planners have given their approval and the Museum Society is keen to press ahead with a feasibility study that will result in a blue print for the heritage centre.

If this goes ahead it will enable the museum to move its collection into much larger premises in the heart of the town with the hope that this will become a major new tourist attraction.

However, there are still a number of issues that have to be worked out before the new home for Tenbury’s past is secured in premises fit for the future.

One of these concerns the leasing arrangement for the new heritage centre. It is understood that Tesco want to let the old fire station to the museum society on a short term lease.

However, a much longer arrangement will be needed if the society is to secure the grant support that will be needed from bodies like English Heritage to get the project underway.

Cllr Penn, a supporter of the Tesco plan from the outset, believes that a breakthrough that will allow the museum and heritage centre to go ahead is very important.

“I am constantly being asked if Tesco are still coming and I believe that they will build the supermarket,” said Cllr Penn.

“But I understand the scepticism and frustration that people feel and that is why progress with the museum and heritage centre would give the town a lift and it would also be very good for the standing of Tesco.

“There is no doubt that having the museum and heritage centre in a prominent place like the old fire station would be a huge thing for the town and an important tourist attraction.”

However, Cllr Penn accepts that the supermarket, that Tesco promised would create more than 100 jobs, will not be built for at least a year.

“We know that the Tesco financial year runs until February and the Tenbury supermarket is not in the current programme,” he said.

“Hopefully it will be included in the list of projects for next year.”

Even if this is the case it is unlikely that the supermarket would be completed and open before 2017 as the estimated time for construction is nine months.

The first meeting about the Tesco plan to build a supermarket in Tenbury was held in May 2010. A long delay has resulted from planning issues and the decision of the supermarket chain to slow its programme of building.