SAFEWAY is looking at expanding its Malvern Link store to create more warehouse and shop space.

The supermarket has submitted a planning application for an extension of about 2,500 sq metres, increasing the existing floor space of 5,163 sq ft by nearly half as much again.

The aim is to improve quality and increase its range of non-food items, but the store will not be selling bulky electrical goods or clothing.

Manager, Andre Batchelor, said that Safeway was still only looking into the possibilities of expanding the shop.

"Safeway has done well and now its strategy is to have bigger stores," he said.

But Mr Batchelor could not say whether they were likely to be looking for new staff or exactly how the store would be changing.

A spokesman for the company said it was expanding its stores across the country.

"It's an on-going exercise," she said.

Meanwhile, Tesco has not renewed its attempt to build a store in Barnards Green, after it withdrew its application for planning permission in 1998.

Spokesman Richard Anderson said a Malvern store had not been put forward as an option during recent reviews.