A regeneration chief has claimed the delivery of a long-awaited supermarket in Bordon’s new town centre should lead to a domino effect of development.

But even though work on a new Sainsbury’s store could begin next month, many people won’t be convinced change is coming until “spades are in the ground”.

There were some big updates at the Annual Town Assembly with key figures from Sainsbury’s and the Whitehill & Bordon Regeneration Company speaking at the Forest Community Centre.

Christian Wakelin, Head of Supermarket Development for the retailer, said his firm is “super proud to be part of the scheme” with a 16,000 square foot store planned.

He revealed that groundwork on the £7million store could begin next month with May 2026 being circled on the calendar for a potential opening date.

He said the “very accessible store” would also create 100 “high quality jobs” while an adjacent multi-level car park will have 221 spaces.

James Child, project director for the WBRC, claimed the opening of the Sainsbury’s 2026 would start a chain of key developments, and would be followed by the opening of the health hub in 2027, with the Mess Hall next in line.

But while he remains “optimistic” about the future of the town and the regeneration process, he admitted that 2024 was “appalling” and things hadn’t gone to plan.

He said: “It slowed down but we weren’t alone and it was a similar story throughout the industry.

“But we’re back on it and we’ll be delivering.”

After one resident labelled The Shed a ‘glorified Uber Eats’, Mr Child also defended the facility, calling it a “great venue” that attracts 800 to 1,200 people a day.

But some audience members spoke of promises not being kept and dreams being broken, with Barratts luring house-buyers in with talk of exciting facilities.