A SUPERMARKET giant is hoping to open a new store on a key site in Tenbury Wells, creating 180 jobs.

Tesco is set to submit a planning application to build a 15,000 square foot environmentally friendly timber-frame and glass store on the town’s former cattle market.

It is proposed that 94 car parking spaces would be provided on the site, off Teme Street, for customers shopping at the store, which would sell fresh food and produce as well as books, CDs and DVDs.

It will be bigger than Tesco Express or Metro stores but will be at the smaller end of the chain’s portfolio of supermarkets. There are no plans for a petrol station on the site, which has been disused for more than 20 years.

Bernard Morgan, chairman of Tenbury tourist information centre and chairman of Tenbury events group, said: “I think it could bring a lot of people into the town but I have a lot of trader friends who might find it difficult.”

Independent family-owned supermarket Bowkett’s, in Market Square, declined to comment on the proposals.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager at Tesco, said: “Tesco is submitting a planning application for a new environmental format store on the site of the Cattle Market in Tenbury Wells.

“We will now use the council’s own consultation period to speak further with local stakeholders and the people of Tenbury to gather feedback on the scheme, and we will feed these comments into the application where possible.

“If the plans are approved, the store will provide greater choice and accessibility to supermarket shopping for people living in the area and create abut 180 full and part-time jobs for local people.”

The planning application will be formally submitted to Malvern Hills District Council tomorrow. If approved, the store could be open by the end of this year or in early 2011.

The former cattle market is still owned by Chase Tenbury – run by Tyrrells’ Crisp magnate William Chase – who back in 2005 hoped to create a daily farmers’ market for regional and local food producers on the site. Rumours that a supermarket would be built there were denied at the time.

But Tesco said Chase Tenbury is now working in partnership with them and a developer to formulate plans for a store which will incorporate energy-saving features such as rainwater harvesting and low-energy fridges.

Mr Chase was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Richard Burt, Liberal Democrat West Worcestershire candidate, has already called a public meeting at 7pm in the Tenbury Community Centre on Wednesday.

Tesco has been invited to the meeting but has still to decide whether to attend.