Kinson supermarket plans to be revealed in the "next few days"

Tesco has long been rumoured to replace the shops at Millhams Road in Kinson.

The developer Hampton Hill Richmond will reveal its plans with a public exhibition at Kinson Community Centre on Saturday, March 26.

Spokesman Harry Hudson said: “We will probably be able to give the name in the next few days, certainly before the exhibition. They are just finalising negotiations at the moment.”

The website for the planning agent shows it has previously acted for Tesco – and Tesco staff enquired about the land more than 10 years ago.

Cllr Claire Smith, Kinson North, said: “Kinson is crying out for a new development – we need to have it dragged into the 21st century.

“The fact that it’s a Tesco some people are angry about, because it’s a big supermarket.

“But unfortunately that’s who has the money for development, and a good quality supermarket would be good for Kinson.”

She added: “I think they are hoping to start it at the end of the year and then it would take about a year to build it.”

The developer has been steadily buying out the long-term lease-holders at the parade of shops.

A nearby pub, The Royal Oak, was recently voted Best Pub of the Year by East Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), but has a closure order and faces demolition.

Landlord of nearly 22 years Dave Braddock said: “We will see what happens. My regulars and CAMRA are arguing that there’s no need for it to be pulled down.

“The general consensus is yes, the shopping parade could do with a new look, but they could do it without demolishing us.”

Last year, planning agents sent a letter to the council about a 3,750 square metre supermarket.

The technical drawings showed an entrance off Millhams Lane, a car park on the field to the rear, and the shop floor on the site of the current shopping parade.