H&M’s new store in Sutton High Street will not be opening before Christmas as the official date is kept under wraps.

The clothing retail giant was confirmed to be moving into a former BHS branch back in May earlier this year by Sutton Council.

And while an opening date was said to be scheduled for before December 25, as told at a council meeting in September, that is now off the table.

READ: A new H&M store is coming to Sutton High Street, council confirms

A spokeswoman for H&M told Sutton Guardian: “We can definitely guarantee it's not happening before Christmas but that's about as much information I'm able to share with you at the moment.

“As soon as we do have a date confirmed that we can communicate, I will of course share that with you.

“But, for the time being, that's all I can give you at present.”

The vacant lot, previously occupied by BHS, had been closed for a while as major branches across south London shut following its collapse into administration during 2016.

But after having not been used for the past couple years, it’ll soon be taken over.

Cllr Jayne McCoy, the council’s deputy leader, said it was “excellent news” to have H&M coming to Sutton when it was first announced.

READ MORE: Big retailers ARE being encouraged to move into Sutton High Street, council insists

She added: “It shows confidence in Sutton’s future as a prime retail location, and I’m sure it will be very popular with many shoppers.”

It comes as retailers hope for some festive cheers during this Christmas trading period, the high street’s busiest time of the year, following a horrendous 2018.

Big names including House of Fraser, Toys ‘R Us and Maplin are among those to have massively struggled as 2019 draws nearer.