Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has announced it plans to convert a partially disused shopping centre into a convenience store.
The company has submitted a planning application to Kirklees Council to convert the ground floor of the Riverside Shopping Centre, Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, into a Sainsbury’s Local.
Sainsbury’s says it will create up to 20 full and part-time jobs.
Under the proposals the store, which will be open daily from 7am to 11pm, will include 2,900 sq ft of floor space, alcohol sales and a cash machine.
Paul Sellers, acquisitions manager for Sainsbury’s said: “We believe this is an excellent opportunity to bring this important site in the Riverside Shopping Centre, back into commercial use. A Sainsbury’s Local will prevent the unit standing vacant and encourage centre footfall. Sainsbury’s Locals are not full-sized supermarkets and provide a convenient location to do a basket shop, topping up their main weekly shop.
“This is a significant investment for the local community, which will enhance the retail area of Riverside Shopping Centre and also provide local employment. If granted planning permission Sainsbury’s would look forward to providing these employment and training opportunities for the community of Holmfirth.”
The proposal has been welcomed by Keep Holmfirth Special, who fiercely opposed rival Tesco’s plan to build a much larger supermarket on the former Midlothian Garage Site, off New Mill Road.
Tesco’s plans were rejected by Kirklees Council before the company’s appeal was dismissed by a government inspector.
Margaret Dale, of Keep Holmfirth Special, said: “The supermarket moving into the Riverside will bring an important building back to life and represents a boost to the town centre. We believe locals will appreciate the new store, particularly given its commitment to Fair Trade (Holmfirth is a fair trade town) and see it as complementing local shops.”
