MYSTERY surrounds the location of a proposed new Tesco store in Abingdon.

A spokesman for the supermarket chain unwittingly revealed to the Oxford Mail that it was planning to open another branch in the town by the end of the year.

But, when later asked to confirm where this store would be, the firm declined to comment further.

Tesco, which has had a superstore in the town since the early 1980s, will open a new Express shop at the former Fitzharris Arms pub, in Thornhill Walk, off Wootton Road, next week. The pub closed last year.

It was confusion over a question from the Oxford Mail about this new shop which saw plans for a further Tesco revealed.

We asked the firm by email when “the new Tesco Express” would be opening A spokesman responded: “The development programme is currently showing an opening date of December 2, 2011.”

We replied: “Are you sure that is right? It looks like it is ready to open in a week or so?”

Tesco’s spokesman then responded: “Massive apologies. I was looking at another Abingdon Express.”

Tesco has subsequently refused to confirm or deny that it is aiming to open a third store in the town in December.

A spokesman added: “Until an agreement is reached or an application made, we would not comment on individual cases.”

Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, speculated Tesco could be looking at the former Ox pub, in Oxford Road.

He added: “We would have some concerns about any supermarket opening a number of stores in one town, as we need to have a balance between the major multiple chains and the independent traders.”