The vacant Marks and Spencer site in Deal is tipped to be taken over by Poundland - but it's feared there could soon be two giant voids in the High Street.

What has been a rumour for some months appeared to gain some credence this week when retail and leisure property agents SmithPrice RRG published a street plan pinpointing a potential property move for the discount chain.

The company is marketing the three-storey building, which still contains clothing company M&Co.

In its brochure, SmithPrice said the M&Co site is "available, subject to vacant possession, on a new lease for a term to be agreed." It is not known if M&Co is leaving or if it will renew the lease.

The company has been asked to clarify its position.

The brochure also says Poundland, which is currently based elsewhere in the High Street, is due to open a new store in the adjoining unit and published a street plan labeling the site: "To be Poundland."

A spokesman for Poundland said today: "We love being in Deal, and while we haven't got any definitive news about moving to a new store, we'll be in touch as and when we've got any news to share."

While some might be happy to see a popular retailer taking over the prime site, the chairman of Deal Chamber of Trade Peter Jull said: "This doesn't get us very far.

"While it's filling one empty shop it will potentially leave us with two empty shops."

Mr Jull confirmed the Chamber, which has ambitions to create an indoor market in the town, has been trying to make contact with the agent for the vacant M&S building but has had no success.

Meanwhile Dover's business incubation project at the Co-innovation Hub, a council owned building in the town's Stembrook, is set to close this month.

Mr Jull added the chamber has been made aware of a number of start-up businesses in the area looking for a shared space.

He said if the current Poundland unit becomes free that is an option.

SmithPrice RRG has also been contacted for a comment.

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