The opening date of a new The Range store in Sussex has been pushed back due to "unexpected circumstances".

The store in Drove Road, Newhaven, had previously planned to begin welcoming customers through its door on April 30.

A spokesman for the company told The Argus: "Due to unexpected circumstances, the opening of The Range in Newhaven has had to be postponed until a later date.

"Unfortunately we don’t yet have a confirmed date when your new store will be opening but we hope it will be by the summer.

"Please keep an eye out in your local news for more information about a new opening date which we will share with you as soon as it is confirmed."

The new shop will include The Range's usual wide variety of items including furniture, bedding, curtains, crafts, DIY equipment and more.

It will be spread over two floors, with a garden centre also based at the site and an Iceland supermarket located within the store.

Following confirmation The Range would be launching a Newhaven store, Lewes District Council leader James Mac Cleary told The Argus he was looking forward to the opening, with the new addition showing the town is "an exciting place to be".

He said: "Our town is a brilliant place to live and work. I know a lot of people in town are excited about The Range moving in and it is just another example of the fantastic recent progress we’ve been making.

“This is another great news story for Newhaven on the back of recent success such as the Future High Streets Fund bid, our £24.7 millions Towns Fund bid and free parking provided in the town centre.

"Newhaven is an exciting place to be with projects such as the transformation of Railway Quay coming online.

“This new store will bring employment of up to 50 part-time and 35 full-time posts which is fantastic for our local economy, opening up job opportunities for people who live in the town and nearby within Lewes district, alongside broadening our retail offer.

The Range in Eastbourne

The Range in Eastbourne

"As a Newhaven resident, I very much look forward to the store opening."

The Range is currently advertising online for roles at the new shop, including sales manager, warehouse assistant, warehouse supervisor, department supervisor, retail assistant, cleaning assistant and customer service assistant.

As part of the company's expansion plans it is also opening a store in Widnes, Cheshire, next Friday and another in Kirkstall, Leeds, on April 9.

"Other sites also being explored for future openings," a spokesman for The Range told The Argus.

Founded in 1989 in Plymouth, The Range is now the fastest growing retailer in the UK.

It has more than 175 stores across the UK, stocking some 65,000 products across 16 different departments.

A spokesman for The Range said: "Our ethos has always been to bring our customers great quality products at the most competitive prices, drawing together everything you need for a beautiful home."

The Range currently has Sussex sites in Eastbourne, Worthing, Chichester and Crawley.