SUPERMARKET GIANT Sainsbury’s today unveiled plans for a new store in Whitchurch creating up to 250 jobs.

The proposal, in conjunction with Terrace Hill Group Plc, is for a 30,000sq ft store off London Road, near the town centre.

It will include a 300-space car park and customer restaurant.

Amy Kershaw, a spokeswoman for the company, said: “The proposed new store will improve the town’s food-shopping offer, encouraging more local people to remain in Whitchurch for their main shopping trips, saving fuel costs and travel time and benefiting the local economy.

“The supermarket will also create 250 new full and part-time jobs for the local community.”

The company says the supermarket would provide a wide range of food products and a “select” range of non-food items.

An online grocery service would operate from the store that would also have a pick-up/drop off point, a cycle park, recycling centre and a pedestrian crossing on London Road between the site and town centre.

As part of the development the nearby listed Ice House and former barn would be preserved and the site landscaped.

A public exhibition is planned so residents can see the detailed proposals, discuss them with the developers and give their views.

It will take place at the Brownlow Community Centre, Claypit Street, on Nov-ember 5, from 12.30pm to 7pm, and on November 6, from 9.30am to noon.

Ms Kershaw said: “Residents’ comments will help Sainsbury’s to identify any key issues regarding the proposed new store before the plans are finalised for submission to the council.”

Duncan McEwan, development director of Terrace Hill, said: “We believe the London Road site offers an important and unique opp-ortunity to provide improved food store provision in Whit-church, in a location close to the existing town centre. We very much look forward to displaying the plans and hearing people’s views.”

Michael Adenmosun, Sainsbury’s development executive, added: “The proposed store will create new jobs for local people and provide the community with an improved local food-shopping offer.”

By Deborah Knox