The opening of a town’s newest supermarket has been pushed back by bosses, KentOnline can reveal.

Lidl launched a fresh bid to build the 2,125 sq m supermarket off the Old Thanet Way in Herne Bay towards the end of 2018 – a year after its initial bid had been snubbed.

The revised proposals were given the go-ahead last June after members of Canterbury City Council’s planning committee narrowly voted them through by six votes to five.

The German chain hoped to welcome its first customers to the store this summer – but now representatives say its unveiling has been delayed by a couple of months.

A spokesman said: “Construction of our new store in Herne Bay began in January, and is due to open late Autumn.

“We’ll be in touch closer to the time with a more specific date of opening, once available.”

Lidl did not respond to questions about the cause of the delay and whether work was at any point halted by Covid-19.

However, Greenhill councillor Dan Watkins says he has been told by store bosses that construction is expected to end in September.

“It’s a disappointment that it’s been delayed, but it’s expected given everything the country’s been through over the last three months,” the Conservative added.

“It is a shame for the community, but it’s hoped the delay will be a pretty modest one. I’ve heard that they’ll finish the build in September.”

The new store is expected to create 40 full-time jobs and include 125 parking spaces.

Lidl’s original proposals were rejected by councillors last year on the grounds the store would have been constructed on land designated protected open space in the Local Plan.

While drawings for the new shop show it will be built closer to the Greenhill roundabout, parts of the site will still be situated on protected open space.

Cllr Watkins continued: “It’s going to be greenest Lidl store in the country in terms of energy consumption.

“It’s important that it opens as soon as possible because we don’t have a supermarket in our ward.

“It means a good proportion of Greenhill residents will be able to walk and cycle there.

“At the moment, people aren’t so keen on getting on buses, so that’s a benefit.”

The local authority was sent 360 letters of support for the fresh application last year from those living close to the site, and just 20 in opposition.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay