Hopes are high that Sainsbury’s will open in Bordon next spring as things take shape in the ‘new’ town centre.

Work is progressing well at the site off Budds Lane with three structures rising after months of inaction.

The most progress has been made with the Sainsbury’s building with much of the cladding completed and brickwork going in on lower levels.

Cllr Andy Tree, EHDC deputy leader and portfolio holder for Whitehill & Bordon, and James Child, project lead at the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company, visited the site last Friday to check on progress.

Cllr Tree said: “I am delighted to see the Sainsbury's build progress – as both a local councillor and resident, I am looking forward to seeing it completed and open.”

Mr Child added: “I am pleased that we’ve stuck to our planned programme as the new food store is a key milestone of the project in Whitehill & Bordon and an important part of the town centre.”

Sainsburys Bordon row of shops
This row will eventually house five shop units with office space above. (EHDC)

Once completed the site will be handed over to Sainsbury’s who will complete the internal fit-out, recruit staff and make final decisions around opening dates.

The steel structure next door will be turned into a block with five shop units at ground floor level with more than 4,000 square feet of office space for small businesses above.

The town’s Banking Hub has already confirmed it will take one of the units, with interest already being expressed for the others.

Behind that will be a multi-storey car park with the ‘fire station tower’ stairwell and lift block for the structure already in place, albeit smaller than originally envisaged.

The block will have 221 spaces – less than the 362 originally planned for – with 150 available to shoppers and the remainder set aside for surrounding residents and office tenants.