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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Sainsbury's announces its plans for huge town store.
SAINSBURY'S has announced plans for a massive store in Whitby, bringing investment and 250 new jobs.
The retail giant has bought land off Stainsacre Lane and wants to build a 30,000 sq ft supermarket.
The site is occupied by Europower and SPC UK, who employ around 50 staff between them.
The two companies are currently negotiating with Sainsbury's about retaining a presence in the Whitby area.
But staff at Europower are concerned about their long-term future, contacting the Gazette to express their worries.
Jo Try, regional development executive for Sainsbury's, said: "We've been looking for a suitable site in the area for some time now and so we're delighted to have acquired this site and to be able to bring a Sainsbury's food store, investment and over 250 new jobs to Whitby."
Sainsbury's will begin a public consultation programme in March and submit a planning application in late spring. If permission is granted the store could be open by summer 2011.
The proposals are part of Sainsbury's plans to create around 5,000 jobs in the north over the next three years.
Europower employees were told of the plans on Monday.
The firm made 11 full-time workers redundant in December, slashing the workforce by almost one-third and leaving a staff of 24.
One Europower worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "They say it is going to employ 250, but the majority of these will be part-time jobs leaving people unable to live on the one wage."
He said there was concern up to 50 full-time jobs could be lost if a deal can't be struck to keep Europower and SPC at the site.
The Europower manufacturing plant produces hose and supplies thermoplastic rubber and hose worldwide.
The new store would be almost twice the size of Whitby's Co-op and slightly bigger than the Sainsbury's store in Scarborough.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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