Plans have been lodged for a new supermarket on the outskirts of Norwich. 

The proposals will see the former Budgens in Poringland reopened as a Tesco Express following months of work to transform the store. 

Budgens shut earlier this summer to allow the refit to start and Tesco appears to be adding the final touches as it seeks permission from South Norfolk Council to erect its own signage outside the building. 

The shop is expected to open next month. 

Empty shelves as the Budgens prepared for closureEmpty shelves as the Budgens prepared for closure (Image: Newsquest) The Budgens was the only supermarket in Poringland before it closed in August.  The One-Stop in Norwich Road and Premier in Shotesham Road, both much smaller stores, were the only convenience stores nearby. 

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It opened in the early 2000s to keep up with the village's sudden growth, which has since seen hundreds of homes built in developments to the west of Bungay Road and Norwich Road.

The new Tesco Express is set to open in January and will be open from 7am to 11pm seven days a week. 

The plans lodged with South Norfolk Council seek to install new Tesco signage outside the store and will be considered in due course.