Sainsbury’s Tonbridge Undergoes Major £20m Transformation - Store Staying Open

Shoppers in Tonbridge may have noticed scaffolding, new signage and shifting layouts at Sainsbury's Tonbridge - and that’s because a major £20 million expansion is now well underway.

The supermarket is being extended into the former Beales unit next door, bringing a significant upgrade to one of the town’s busiest retail destinations. Importantly, the store will remain open throughout the works, which began in July 2025 and are expected to complete by mid-2026.

The transformation will increase the sales floor from 31,200 sq. ft. to 40,300 sq. ft., while general merchandise space will expand dramatically from 1,300 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft.

Customers can expect:

• Around 30,000 additional products
• A much larger non-food department, including full Tu Clothing and Habitat ranges
• An improved in-store Argos
• Wider aisles and better store flow
• Brighter interiors with improved glazing
• Upgraded customer facilities, including new toilets
• A fresh food offer positioned front and centre

The development is being delivered in phases. First, the former Beales building is being converted. Operations will then temporarily move into that space while the existing store is refurbished, before both areas are merged into one seamless layout.

This isn’t just about size - it’s also about future-proofing.

The upgraded store will:

• Operate on 100% renewable electricity
• Use heat pumps instead of fossil fuels
• Feature a roof covered in solar panels
• Install integrated refrigeration, heating and ventilation systems
• Support Sainsbury’s goal of becoming net-zero in operations by 2035

It’s a serious commitment, and one that aligns with growing community expectations around sustainability.

Around 50 new full and part-time roles will be created across various departments and management levels. Sainsbury’s has committed to local recruitment and pays the Living Wage, currently £12 per hour.

The company is also expanding its food donation partnerships in Tonbridge through its national collaboration with Neighbourly, supporting local organisations with surplus food redistribution.

Despite visible building works, many shoppers appear positive about the changes already taking shape. Early layout adjustments and new signage hint at what’s to come - and for many, the promise of a larger range and improved shopping experience outweighs temporary disruption.

The key here? They’re upgrading without closing. That matters.

For questions about the works, customers can contact the project’s community representatives via email at Sainsburys-tonbridge@devcomms.co.uk or by phone on 0800 080 3262.

Tonbridge is getting a bigger, brighter supermarket - and by the looks of it, most shoppers are ready for it.