Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has unveiled plans to expand its Meole Brace superstore, selling a wider range of goods and creating up to 70 jobs for local people.
The scheme will involve a cafe on the first floor, a new petrol station and an improved road layout to reduce traffic jams on the retail park.
And store bosses are also hoping to provide 100 extra parking spaces above part of the existing car park.
They will now be sounding out the views of the public before submitting a formal planning application to Shropshire Council.
Christian Wakelin, Sainsbury’s development executive, said: “Sainsbury’s proposed extension will improve the shopping experience for customers at Shrewsbury.
“The plans will be on display in the store and we hope residents will drop in to submit their views, which will be considered as part of the public consultation.”
The plans include an 18,000sq ft extension to the righthand side of the existing store, currently used largely for storing trolleys.
The customer cafe would be moved to a new first floor mezzanine level, reached by lifts, stairs and “travelators”.
There would be a new customer entrance, an improved and wider product range and store layout, and more checkouts.
Sainsbury’s is hoping to build a new single storey car park providing more than 100 extra spaces, reached by a ramp and located above part of the existing car park to the right of the store. Customers would be able to walk into the store and cafe directly from this level. Also proposed is an improved road layout and access to and from the store, helping to improve traffic flow.
The plans also include a new petrol station and car wash, extra fuel pumps and a redesign to alleviate queues of vehicles waiting to fill up.
In a statement, Sainsbury’s says: “The store extension will create up to 70 new full and part-time job opportunities and we will work closely with the local job centre to ensure local people fill these positions. Members of Sainsbury’s project team will be in store on Saturday, February 20, between 10am and 2pm to answer questions and hear people’s thoughts.
“Local residents and shoppers are invited to view the display and submit their comments via a comments book and box in store or at a new website – www.sainsburys-shrewsbury.co.uk – which will be live from tomorrow, Friday.”
The website features details and a plan of the proposed extension, with an online reply card allowing people to get their views across.
By Peter Johnson
