TESCO has confirmed it wants to turn a church into one of its Tesco Express convenience stores.

The former Westbourne Methodist Church has been on the market for some time.

Planning agents have already had applications approved which would allow the building to be used for shops or banking.

Now Tesco has confirmed speculation that it is interested in the venue.

“We are interested in taking a lease for a Tesco Express convenience food store at this site,” said a spokeswoman.

The news comes as a boost to the area, which has recently seen Costa and Pizza Express open.

Melanie Mogford, president of Westbourne Traders Association, said: “I think traders would be delighted with Tesco in Westbourne.

“We’ve got M&S and Iceland but nothing in between. It’s great because we’ve got lots of new businesses.”

She said the opening of Costa had helped attract other national names.

“On the strength of that, we’ve got Pizza Express and they seem to be doing much better than anticipated, well over target as far as I know.”

The main church building covers around 4,000 square feet and has had its pews and woodwork stripped out to prepare for its conversion to retail use.