The manager of the new John Lewis store has spoken of her excitement at seeing the inside of the building for the first time.

Glynis Gunning-Stevenson, who was appointed in July, took the media on a guided tour of the £7 million home furnishings store being built off Fougeres Way on Monday.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’ve been doing this job for a little while now but opening a new shop and building the team from nothing always brings a little bit of excitement.”

The store is just over a month from completion, with a team of 100 contractors a day working around the clock to fit wiring, lighting and flooring before it opens next month.

It will be the company’s 10th John Lewis at Home store.

At 40,000 sq ft, it will be the same size as the company's Tunbridge Wells branch but spread over two floors.

The building was given planning permission back in October 2011 and after two years of delays, work started on the site by Drovers Roundabout in April.

Project manager Gavin Smith said delays had been down to negotiations with landowners and stakeholders over the site.

“It was really about getting a scheme that works,” he said.

“I know this site had been talked about for a good number of years but it was important to get a deal that works for everybody.

"It was just important to get it right and make sure everything is as good as it can be.

“We wanted to open before Christmas. It’s a huge achievement building a shop in 25 weeks.

“Hopefully we will be a big pull for people coming here rather than going to Bluewater.”

The store is due to open on Thursday, November 7.