THE controversial new Tesco supermarket in Tenbury should be open early next year.

If all goes according the plan the store that split the town in two will open almost seven years after the plan was first made known.

The decision by Tesco to start work on the supermarket will also clear the way for major improvements to the town centre and its services.

It will allow the completion of the improvements to the town centre to be completed and will provide some flood defence adjacent to the site.

The announcement also means that the Tenbury Transport Trust will get a case boost of nearly £100,000 to improve local bus services.

After a long delay Tesco has confirmed that work that has already started on clearing the former auction yard site will continue and that the building of the supermarket will begin in October.

The original timescale envisaged nine months to build the store but Tesco say that it should be completed by next February.

In a statement the supermarket chain was able to conform its plans.

It apologised for the delay in coming up with information but said it was now in a position to provide a timetable.

“The required demolition work has been carried out and works to stabilise the ground ready for building will commence this week,” said the statement.

“Expect to see the structure being built from the end of October onwards with the aim of opening the store around the end of February next year.

“In terms of the River Walk, the path will be closed while works are being carried out for safety reasons. We will be repaving the path and will look to re-open it as soon as soon as possible.

“We will ensure to keep you and the community updated as things progress.”

It is the news that because of the delay some people in Tenbury had come to believe would not happen and others hoped would never happen.

The first public meeting about the Tesco plan happened on the eve of the General Election in 2010 and immediately split the town with opponents fearing that it would change the character of Tenbury and damage the town’s small independent shops.

However, those in support of the scheme believe the store will provide a vital boost by creating up to 150 new full and part time jobs as well as bringing more people into the town.

The split was reflected in the position of Tenbury’s two Conservative representatives on Malvern Hills District Council.

Phil Grove, who now leads Malvern Hills District Council, was against the scheme whilst Tony Penn has always been a strong supporter.

The long delay has been a result of planning issues with an initial plan rejected and a second one withdrawn before final approval was granted. Tesco then put the scheme on-hold whilst it sorted out internal financial issues.

As part of the planning approval Tesco has agreed to providing funding for town centre improvements and work can no go ahead on phase two of this work.

Tesco is also committed to providing nearly £100,000 to the Tenbury Transport Trust.