For some, the saga of the Matlock Sainsbury's development was lumped in the same genre as tall tales about beasts at Riber and Luke Skywalker.

After 17 years, you can forgive Joe Sceptical for believing he'd never get this supermarket he'd been promised.

I'm not a resident of Matlock, but I know the town well enough to have encountered several people who thought it was a myth.

"Sainsbury's," they would howl, as though the unspeakable name of some Harry Potter villain had just been uttered. "'Tis nought but a hollow prophecy, says I."

Okay, so people haven't talked like that for a few centuries but my point holds water.

But on Thursday October 4 2007, the unthinkable will happen — Sainsbury's will open its doors. And that's not all, it's bringing with it the Loch Ness Monster of A-roads — Matlock's fabled relief road.

Good things come to those who wait, we're told by brewers of stout.

Let's hope so. The people of Matlock, and further afield, have waited a long time for this development.

I for one hope it marks a new chapter in the history of the town.

I hope it helps bring the 21st Century in to a town centre which, while cherishing its heritage, is floundering too much in the past.

But while Sainsbury's will mean big changes for Matlock economically, let's not expect miracles.

Projects like the Matlock Masterplan — the blueprint for how the town centre will develop - needs to be seen through, effectively, before people begin doubting it will ever happen.

Which brings us back to Sainsbury's. Don't forget the Mercury will soon announce a local hero to open the store.

No nominations for Luke Skywalker please.