Tesco to reopen after blaze

The Tesco Express in Mace Lane will reopen to customers at 10am on Saturday, December 2.

The store has been shut since the end of March after being wrecked by an arson attack that severely damaged the interior and roof.

Now, seven months later, contractors are putting the finishing touches to the revamped supermarket and its adjoining Paydens Pharmacy to get ready to greet customers in the busy build-up to Christmas.

More than 20 firefighters were called to the blaze, in the early hours of Friday, March 31, that caused massive damage to the building, requiring it to be gutted internally and have the roof replaced.

The shop has remained closed ever since with staff being relocated to other Tesco branches around Ashford.

Tesco Express, in Mace Lane, will reopen in December; below, after the arson attack in March