Refit begins to relocate Northampton town centre's Tesco Metro into former River Island unit

Work has begun to close the Tesco Metro in Northampton town centre and relocate it to a smaller unit on the high street.

After nine years in one of the town's main shopping streets, the store on Abington Street is set to move into the former River Island and will re-open next year as an Express store.

Now, safety fences have been erected around the former clothes retailer on Abington Street and work has begun to redevelop it ahead of the move in 2021.

The move comes after River Island relocated from Abington Street into the former WHSmiths unit in the Grosvenor Centre, which itself relocated to a smaller unit on the ground floor.

Tesco Metro will join several other of Northampton high street's biggest units currently standing empty, including BHS, Marks & Spencer and Caffe Nero.

Speaking in September, a Tesco spokesperson said: "We have taken the decision to close our Northampton Metro store on Abington Street in February next year and re-locate to a new Express store nearby.

"We serve a fantastic community in Northampton and remain committed to the town.

"We are confident that the new Express will complement the seven Express stores and two Extras we have locally.

"Our priority over the coming months is to support our colleagues that are affected and we will offer alternative jobs within Tesco for those that wish to stay."

Tesco Metro opened in Abington Street on Monday, April 4, 2011, on the site of the former Woolworths store, and created 80 jobs.