Three retail giants today declared themselves out of the running to open a major new supermarket in a north Shropshire market town.

Tesco, Asda and Marks & Spencer have denied involvement in developer Terrace Hill’s plans to bring a 40,000 square foot store to Whitchurch.

Sainsbury’s was unavailable for comment, and Morrisons was unable to confirm or deny its involvement.

Spokeswoman Katie Neasham said Morrisons “could be interested in any potential sites that may arise in Whitchurch in the future”, but refused to be drawn on whether the firm is involved with Terrace Hill’s current plans.

The property development and investment group yesterday revealed it had exchanged conditional contracts with a landowner to snap up a secret nine-acre site in the town.

The firm said it intends to develop the site into a supermarket for an unnamed client and hopes to submit official plans this year.

But mystery still surrounds the identity of the “household name” behind the plans and the exact location of the proposed store.

Chris Marlow, Asda property communications manager, said: “Asda does not currently have any plans to open a store in Whitchurch.”

Rachael Cokayne, for M&S, said it had “no plans” for a store in the town.

Terrace Hill said in a statement yesterday: “The company has exchanged conditional contracts to acquire a nine-acre site in Whitchurch, Shropshire, which it intends to develop into a 40,000 square foot supermarket.

“Terrace Hill is currently in negotiations with potential supermarket tenants for the site and will submit a planning application later this year.”