Decision due over town development

A state-of-the art five screen cinema is just one of the spin-off benefits for residents in a Shropshire town if plans for a Tesco supermarket get the go-ahead.

The scheme proposed by Richard Burbidge Ltd for Oswestry also includes two restaurants and refurbishment of a listed building for community and leisure use adjacent to the site in Whittington Road, as well as a Reel Cinema with at least two 3D screens.

Parking will be provided for more than 500 vehicles as well as a dedicated pedestrian and cycle way from the site to the town centre.

Under the plans, due to be discussed by councillors next week, the company - Oswestry's biggest employer - would relocate to a new nine-acre site in the town to allow for expansion of its business, safeguarding at least 200 jobs and creating around 350 new jobs in the future.

Three other supermarket developments are also in the pipeline for Oswestry but only one will be approved.

They include the Oswestry Livestock Market in Shrewsbury Road, JT Hughes and Guttercrest in Victoria Road and the Central Car Park.

Steve Underhill, chief executive of Richard Burbidge, said: "We employ 260 people in Oswestry alone, committing an £8million wage bill into the town. We wish to remain committed to the town, but need to relocate to a more modern local industrial site.

"In order to facilitate this, we aim to secure planning permission to deliver a new supermarket, stemming the current trend for local people to shop in Wrexham and Shrewsbury.

"The scheme will bring shoppers back into Oswestry and allow linked visits to town centre facilities as well as funding a cinema and restaurants to boost the vitality and vibrancy of Oswestry."

Among many who are hoping the Burbidge and Tesco scheme will be the winner are 500 members of the Border Counties School of Gymnastics who will get a new base in the former Cambrian Railway Buildings.

By Deborah Knox