THE future of the Tesco Metro shop in Clock Face has yet to be confirmed amid reports it is set to become one of the chain's new concept Jack's stores.

Tesco is set to launch discount Jack's stores in a bid to counter the rise of fellow supermarket giants Lidl and Aldi.

It is understood that up to 15 stores are set to open over the next year, with five existing Tesco properties to be repurposed and the remainder being new outlets.

It has been reported in some media that St Helens is among the locations which will see the launch of a Jack's store.

The first Jack's has been launched today at a mothballed former Tesco store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.

Meanwhile, another outlet in Immingham, Lincolnshire also opens on Thursday.

It has been reported that St Helens and Rubery, Worcestershire could be among others set to open over the next year.

The Tesco Metro on Four Acre Lane, Clock Face has been closed since July, as Tesco cited plans to change the "retail format" at the premises.

However, a Tesco spokesman has refused to confirm that the shop is among those set to become a Jack's.

He said to the Star: "The only locations confirmed to have Jack’s stores are Immingham and Chatteris."

Following the temporary closure of the Clock Face shop in July, a Tesco spokesman said: "We are constantly innovating to test different formats and with this in mind we will be closing this store with the intention to reopen it at a later date in a different retail format.

"We are hoping to support the affected staff through this process, and there is a consultation process in place."