Plant equipment will be moved on to the site on Tuesday. It is likely to take up to 10 weeks to clear depending on how badly damaged the foundations are.

Midlands Co-op has put in a planning application for a 10,700 ft temporary store for its car park until a new store is rebuilt.

Public consultation began on August 11 and a decision should be made by the middle of September.

Staff have been moved to Co-op stores in Syston, Melton, Kettering, Glenfield and Corby.

Head of community and co-operative affairs for the supermarket Cyrrhian Macrae said: "Staff have been very co-operative and are pleased to continue to work with us, but obviously they are very keen to return 'home'. That's one of the reasons why we are trying to work as quickly as possible to bring it to fruition.

"Plans are proceeding apace and the long term outlook is far more encouraging than we could ever have hoped for."
The rebuild of the new store would take at least a year.