Kenilworth's Tesco may not reopen for several months following an arson attack on Saturday morning (September 30).

Emergency services were called to the Leyes Lane store in the early hours following reports that thieves had try to break into the ATM, with a fire started in the process.

Having already reportedly threatened members of the public, they then made off from the scene.

The Tesco Express store has been boarded up since and is not expected to reopen for several months, Kenilworth Nub News understands.

A spokesperson from the supermarket chain said on Saturday: "Our Kenilworth Leyes Lane Express is closed following a fire overnight. 

"We're sorry for any inconvenience this will cause for our customers and we'll be working to re-open the store as soon as possible."

The fire caused damage to both Tesco and The Bakers Dozen (Image by Alison Insley)

The fire came just weeks after the Tesco store had received a major refurbishment.

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An update from Warwickshire Police said the incident is being treated as arson.

"We were called at 3.42am yesterday morning (Saturday 30 September) to a report of an attempted burglary at a business premises in Leyes Lane, Kenilworth," the force said on Sunday (October 1).

"A fire was subsequently reported inside of the building.

"The fire is currently being treated as arson.

"A number of enquiries are currently ongoing. If anyone witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area, or has any dashcam or doorbell footage, please call 101 or report online at warwickshire.police.uk/ro quoting incident number 58 of 30 September 2023."

The Bakers Dozen was also forced to temporarily close over the weekend after the fire (image by James Smith)

The fire also forced neighbouring store The Bakers Dozen to temporarily close over the weekend.

A sign in the shop window said a lot of its stock had been ruined by smoke damage.

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An exact reopening date or timeframe for repair works at Tesco is yet to be confirmed.