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New superstore in store?

A REVAMP for the south side of Welwyn Garden City town centre is in the pipeline with Sainsbury's planning to build a new superstore.

The supermarket giant outlined its proposals this week, which include quadrupling the size of the store on Church Road by knocking it down and building a new one.

Neighbouring buildings owned by Sainsbury's will also be torn down to make way for the development, which will see a clothing section, a new cafe and the existing conservation area on site retained as an open space.

Bosses hope the new store will help to regenerate the area, which they believe has suffered as a result of the outdated' and run-down' store.

Robert Oxley, Sainsbury's regional development executive, said: "We've got to transform this store. We want to be winning back shoppers from out of town stores - this will be good news for us and good news for our neighbours.

"We've got an opportunity to create a strong anchor for the southern end of the town, mirroring John Lewis and Waitrose in the north.

We're also looking at high quality landscaping and a new public open space, which will help reinvigorate the whole area."

The plans also include a 387-space car park for all visitors to the town centre, free to Sainsbury's customers.

Sainsbury's are holding a public exhibition on Friday between 3pm and 7pm and Saturday between 10am and 3pm next week to the right of the store at 38 Church Road between. Members of the development team will be available for residents to talk with.

A letter outlining the plans is also being distributed to around 15,000 homes in the immediate area.

The company hopes to submit a formal planning application to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council by the end of April.

  • Will you welcome the new superstore? Tell us below.

    8:34am Thursday 27th March 2008

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