Work is under way to redevelop Sainsbury's in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, with the new superstore set to include a branch of Argos.

The redevelopment works will finish in the winter and provide a brighter, more spacious layout with a new Argos store, updated Tu clothing and Home section, plus a dedicated beauty department.

New "fully accessible toilet facilities" will be installed and the nearby Sainsbury’s petrol station is also being redecorated.

The first stage of the project involves the temporary relocation of Tu clothing and Sainsbury’s Home to its own dedicated store, which will open on Monday, June 15. During autumn the supermarket store layout will also change to allow for construction work.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director said: “Residents can look forward to a more convenient shopping experience that ensures they have everything under one roof.

"We’ve proudly served the local community for over 40 years and this redevelopment will ensure we’re best placed to serve the community long into the future.

"We know the building works will cause disruption and thank everyone for their understanding as we embark on this major store investment.”

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Holly Lowes-Bond, Sainsbury’s head of stores for Kent, said: “We’re delighted this upgrade is under way and we’re looking forward to opening a new temporary Tu clothing and Home store this month. The new superstore will look fantastic and we have a great team of colleagues who are really excited about the changes.

"We appreciate the community’s patience as we undertake these exciting works.”

A customer information hub has been established in the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre and will continue to provide updates throughout the redevelopment.

Sainsbury’s says all on-site work will be undertaken in accordance with the government’s social distancing guidelines regarding Covid-19, and working practices will be kept under continuous review to ensure they align with the most up to date guidance.

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