Sainsbury's is coming back to Bognor Regis

The Observer can today reveal that the national retailer is committed to ending a near 20-year absence from the town.

The company has signed up to become involved with the multi-million pound redevelopment of the former Lec Refrigeration site alongside the A29.

Its intention is to build a 55,000sq ft store on part of the Shripney Road location and create hundreds of jobs. A planning application for the building is expected to be submitted to councillors soon.

Max Whitehand, the regional development executive at Sainsbury's, said: "We are excited about returning to Bognor and are committed to contributing towards the ongoing regeneration of the area.

"As well as providing improved choice and quality for Bognor's shoppers, the new store will generate up to 400 full and part time jobs for the local community."

It was in April 1990 that Sainsbury's left Bognor. The company closed its branch in the Queensway, now The Hatter's Inn, with the loss of 66 jobs. The company claimed the branch was too small and that its new outlet at Westhampnett made it unnecessary.

But the availability of the southern half of the one-time Lec factory site means that Sainsbury's is able to turn the clock back and seek to establish a presence in Bognor once again.

Lec pulled out of that part of its site in December 2004 to end decades of fridge and freezer making there.

Sainsbury's has pledged its new store will be of a high-quality design to create a gateway feature on the key road route into the town. An improved access from the A29 forms part of its proposals. The company's announcement on Tuesday promises a 'store wars' for the spending of the town's shoppers.

Sainsbury's will be immediately opposite the slightly larger Tesco and a few hundred metres south of Asda's earmarked location for an outlet with 48,000sq ft of selling space. Crucially, a development brief for the Lec site '“ including retail use '“ has already gained Arun District Council support in principle.

Each scheme on the site would still need specific planning approval to be granted in line with national planning policies but having the development brief agreed is a good first step.

See the plans for yourself

An exhibition is being staged by Sainsbury's and Sime Darby about the store's proposals.

The plans will be on display in the Regis Centre in Belmont Street on the following days and times:

* November 20 and 21 '“ 10am to 4pm; and

* November 22 '“ 10am to 2pm.

Representatives from both firms will be present.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP