The firm reckons the town has waited long enough for its first supermarket and it has "no intention of delaying that process".

But Tesco has also re-affirmed its intention to bid against Sainsbury's later this year in an attempt to buy another site – at Pinnaclehill – in the town.

On Monday, the protracted supermarket war enters a new phase when Scottish Borders Council's planning committee considers an outline application from Sainsbury's and CWP Scotland to develop Pinnaclehill for a 30,000sq ft store, with a filling station and parking for 290 cars.

Much of the land – the site of the former Keltek electronics factory – is owned by SBC, and CWP has already signed up binding options to acquire neighbouring businesses.

The work will include the creation of a five-leg roundabout and it is recommended for approval by SBC planning officials, the site having recently been included for the town's only major supermarket in the region's new Local Plan.

Councillors will also determine the outline bid by Tesco and Miller Developments for an even larger store and filling station at Spylaw.

But Tesco knows the writing is on the wall for that site which is excluded from the Local Plan and which SBC officials say should be kicked out.

"Our bid for Spylaw will be refused, but we have no intention of delaying the process of Kelso getting its first supermarket," said Doug Wilson, Tesco's corporate affairs manager for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

He told TheSouthern: "The local community has waited years ... and we do not wish to cause any further unnecessary delays by launching an appeal or, indeed, objecting to the Sainsbury's proposal.

"However, because the council needs to follow a due process, it will take many months before building can start. The next step is for the council to market the Keltek site and Tesco has already expressed an interest in the site as no doubt other retailers will."

The Keltek site is due to be marketed in September.