A SUPERMARKET giant could be forced to hand over three eyesore buildings blighting a Worcester community if it stalls on selling or redeveloping the site.

St John’s city and county councillor Richard Udall has vowed to investigate the possible use of a compulsory purchase order by Worcester City Council to obtain the derelict properties owned by Sainsbury’s in the heart of the shopping district.

Coun Udall told the Worcester News the patience of people in St John’s was now “wearing very thin” and he would ask the city council to look into its powers to take over the site or encourage Sainsbury’s to “do what is right”.

It had been hoped that the charred remains of the former Zig Zag club, Smokestack pub and Cordles shop would be redeveloped when the chain built its superstore in Swanpool Walk in 2009.

Except for being made secure, the buildings have remained largely untouched and have been described as an “open sore” on the St John’s street scene.

Last October, chief executive Justin King gave assurances Sainsbury’s was keen to see regeneration in St John’s and was in the “later stages” of discussions with a developer, with hopes to complete a sale before Christmas.

But almost four months into the new year, there has been no sign of any progress.

This week, Coun Udall again wrote to Mr King in a last-ditch attempt to put pressure on Sainsbury’s to take action.

He said: “Local residents and traders are openly critical of your company and feel that you are not taking your role within the community seriously.

“Sainsbury’s are responsible for these buildings and have clearly failed to dispose of them commercially.

“The buildings, their poor condition and their continued neglect are an open sore.

“It is believed their condition continues to block the regeneration of a once proud and prosperous retail and business community.”

Coun Udall said he understood times were difficult, but suggested Sainsbury’s consider redeveloping the site itself “as a gesture of goodwill to local people and businesses”.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said discussions with a potential developer “moving forward” and the firm was “hopeful” that further information would be available to the public in due course.