Tesco hoping to open in Rye

The national supermarket giant was finally given the go-ahead after years of negotiations with East Sussex County Council over the empty Lower School site in the heart of Rye.

But a question mark was still hanging over the bid this week.

Tesco were told on March 29 that their bid for the site had been accepted.

But a dramatic turn of events saw an 11th hour bid being made by an undisclosed national company which means everything has been put on hold again.

The tendering process has now been extended and the council will make a formal decision on how to proceed at a meeting on April 20.

Tesco's long standing interest in the three and a half acre site has been described as "a worse kept secret than the date of the general election" but confirmation of their interest in Rye ends years of speculation.

It has long been known in Rye that Tesco have holding rights to acquire the Queen Adelaide pub, which would stand in the way of any access road to the site, but this is the first time it has been officially confirmed that they want to open a store in Rye.

The news will be welcomed by many local people who have complained of a lack of choice and that the town's only supermarket Budgens shuts on Sundays.

But other traders have raised concerns that the opening of a new supermarket could have a damaging effect on small High Street shops.

Resident Michael Chambers said: "I think a lot of people, especially those on Tilling Green, would love to see Tesco opening in Rye.

Many of us shop there anyway but have to make long trips to the Tesco's in Hastings and Tenterden. Rye is crying out for a Tesco.

Tesco released a statement this week to say: "Tesco can confirm that it has been in negotiation with East Sussex County Council for a number of years concerning the acquisition of the former Thomas Peacocke School site in Rye.

"Last Monday, 29 March, Tesco was contacted by the County Council to confirm that it had been selected as the preferred bidder for the site.

However, later that week we were informed that the Council had changed its decision and was intending to extend the tender process for a further period of time.

While Tesco remain committed to and confident of bringing forward a new foodstore for Rye, we are now seeking urgent clarification of the situation and decision making process from the County Council.

If we are successful, as we hope, Tesco look forward to working with the authorities and local people in Rye to develop this exciting project further.

Stephen Jempson, who runs the Budgens store in Rye, said: "I think this is probably an even worse kept secret than the date of the General Election! It will be interesting to see how they are going to achieve an access solution to the site

Rye county councillor Keith Glazier said: "A late bid came in and, by law, the council has to consider this.

"I think the people of Rye will be pleased when the county council finally disposes of this site which has been empty for so long."