Home Bargains is set to move into the site of a former Halfords, KentOnline understands.

The discount chain, which has more than 400 stores nationwide, will move into the Eddington Business Park unit in Herne Bay that has sat empty for the last six months.

Work is currently underway to fit out the new store, which will also expand into a sizeable chunk of the neighbouring Homebase.

Partitioning has been erected inside the downsized DIY store and its stock of a number of items has been reduced as a result.

A spokesman for Homebase said: “While the store is smaller, we are confident that we are still offering customers great ranges to bring their home and garden projects to life.

“We have worked collaboratively with our landlord on the changes made to the store, and none of our team members have been impacted by the changes.”

Members of staff at Homebase are also telling customers Home Bargains will be moving into the former vacant space next door.

The pavement outside the empty store has been dug up as alterations are made to its shop front.

But despite numerous requests for comment, a spokesman for the budget chain said “at this very early stage, we can’t confirm this”.

The Gazette previously asked The Range, Poundstretcher, B&M and Poundland if they were eyeing up the site – but all of them ruled out opening a store in the vacant plot.

Proposals for a discount store to move into the site were given the green light by Canterbury City Council officers at the start of the year.

Planning documents submitted to the local authority in October by firm WSP Indigo predict that as many as 50 jobs will be created by the incoming retailer.

Writing on behalf of the owner of the building, the company added: “The applicant is in discussions with a prospective tenant who is interested in occupying this vacant unit.

“They are keen to operate in this location as they are currently not represented within this catchment area.

“The prospective tenant is a discount retailer and will only operate from out of centre locations due to the types of products sold and the discounts offered.”

WSP noted that the retailer sells gardening equipment, furniture, ornaments, pet food, baby items and beauty products.

It also applied for the prospective store to sell food and drinks – such as sweets, crisps and protein shakes – discounted by as much as 30%.

“This is a fundamental requirement for the tenant and without it this tenant will not occupy the unit,” WSP continued. The potential tenant does not offer a full range of food that would allow for a full weekly shop. They also do not sell goods that are commonly sold on the high street.

“The proposals would ensure that a unit within a well-established retail park does not stay vacant.”

Read more: All the latest news from Herne Bay