Public show for store plan

Last Friday, Sainsbury’s opened an exhibition in its Dewsbury store to share its plans with customers.

The proposed replacement store would have an extra 46,000 sq ft of selling space and a mezzanine level customer restaurant.

It would have more parking, the petrol station would move and a walkway would connect the store to other shops in the Railway Street retail park.

Shopper Andrew Sykes, 41, from Thornhill, said: “I suppose it’s probably better for the community. I come here every week and I can only think the larger store will help.”

Regular customer Jean Clay, 41, from Thornhill Lees, added: “I think it’s fantastic. If it creates more jobs in Dewsbury then that’s brilliant and from what I’ve seen it looks good.”

Sainsbury’s development surveyor Christian Wakelin said: “The reaction from the public was positive and people were pleased to see Sainsbury’s investing in the town.

“In particular, people thought the creation of up to 120 new jobs would be a big plus for the local community.”

The plans are still on show at the store where customers can leave feedback.

The company hopes to submit a planning application next month and aims to open the new store in summer 2013.

Sainsbury’s would take over the depot currently used by Brocklehurst Transport Limited in its redevelopment.