MYSTERY surrounds the future of a jewellers on Newport High Street as a national supermarket plans to take over its store.

Following the news Tesco will be moving into the Isle of Wight's county town, a question mark has been raised over its plans for its shop building.

In plans submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, the supermarket giant is looking to join together 35 and 36 Newport High Street — the now-empty Laura Ashley store but still open H Samuel shop.

In planning documents submitted by Tesco's planning agents ROK Planning, they describe the store as 'formerly being used' by H Samuel.

Isle of Wight County Press: The proposed Tesco floor plan - taking over H Samuel. Picture by Daniells Harrison Chartered Surveyors.The proposed Tesco floor plan - taking over H Samuel. Picture by Daniells Harrison Chartered Surveyors.

However, the shop on Newport High Street is still open, with staff working and products available to buy and could now be under threat.

Staff at the store said they had been told nothing and were still in the dark about the plans.

A spokesperson for H Samuel did not confirm the store's future and when pressed for an answer said they would not comment further.

Isle of Wight County Press: From St Thomas' Square. H Samuel and the Laura Ashley store.From St Thomas' Square. H Samuel and the Laura Ashley store.

In a statement, they said: "Our stores remain central to our long-term growth strategy and we continue to invest in them, ensuring they are in locations where they best serve our customers, which includes the Isle of Wight, keeping in step with their demands, including the many customers who start their shopping journey online."

In the row of five units on Newport High Street, H Samuel is only one of two shops currently occupied — the other being Cherry Godfrey.

Isle of Wight County Press: The proposed look of Tesco, expanding into the H Samuel store. Picture by Tesco.The proposed look of Tesco, expanding into the H Samuel store. Picture by Tesco.

The three empty units include the former stores of Laura Ashley, Animal and Carphone Warehouse but the latter unit has been empty since the phone shop moved with only pop-up shops and exhibits filling the space.

If the planning application is granted by the council, the two stores could be joined together, with internal partitions removed to create an open floor area.

Comments on the application have now closed, with the Isle of Wight Council expected to make a decision by the end of the month.