Sainsbury’s signs to Blackpool regeneration scheme

Muse Developments in partnership with Blackpool Council has announced Sainsbury's as the selected foodstore operator for its £220m project in Blackpool town centre.

The supermarket giant has signed up to the Central Business District scheme, formerly known as Talbot Gateway, to open a 60,000 sq ft store with 600 car parking spaces positioned above the store over two levels.

Sainsbury's and Muse will submit a joint full application to the council for the proposed store and car parking spaces this week.

Muse selected architects Leach Rhodes Walker to design the building, with a brief to create a high quality statement building that would complement the other buildings within the scheme including the new council offices.

The main foodstore façade, featuring a glass design, faces onto Talbot Road and is visible from the bus station and new public square included in the plans.

Mike Horner, regional director for Muse Developments, said: "A full application is being submitted this week and if planning consent is granted in the new year we hope to be on site by next summer".

Cllr Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council, added: "I know these plans are going to be welcomed by so many Blackpool residents who are keen to see a large supermarket in the town centre.

"Sainsbury's is exactly the type big name company that we want to attract to Blackpool and the news that they are going to employ hundreds of local people is simply fantastic. These jobs are in addition to those that will be created for the construction of the council offices and redevelopment of the Talbot Road bus station.

"We will be working with Sainsbury's and the constructors through Blackpool Build up to make sure that local residents get the benefits of working on this exciting project."

Sainsbury's said the new store will employ 400 people with 70% of the posts being full time positions.

Working in partnership with the council, Muse is aiming to deliver a comprehensive redevelopment of the north eastern part of the town covering 914,932 sq ft. Proposals include new office and business space, hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants.

Outline planning consent for the entire scheme was obtained at the beginning of last year and detailed applications were submitted in September for the remaining parts of the first phase; the refurbished multi storey car park and council offices. If successful, work will begin early in 2012.

Last year, North West Development Agency withdrew funding for the Talbot Gateway scheme.

Muse and the council were also unsuccessful in gaining funding for the overall project in the in first round bids to the Government's £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund in April.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

is there any application forms ready for new vacancies ?

By agnes fulton

I would also be interested in an application form for any office jobs that may be available in the new buildings.

By Debs

when will there be application forms available for jobs?

By emma and hope

When will jobs be advertised for new store and where?

By steve

I would like to apply for any office Admin jobs either in the new office building or in the new sainsbury’s working on the shop floor

By Samantha Slater

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below