Mystery over new superstore

A major supermarket is coming to Whitchurch it was revealed today after developers confirmed they have snapped up a nine-acre site for a new store.

But mystery surrounds the identity of the "household name" and the exact location of the proposed store.

Terrace Hill, a property development and investment group, today said it intended to develop the site into a 40,000sq ft supermarket for an unnamed client.

The firm will submit a planning application to Shropshire Council later this year.

In a statement, Terrace Hill said: "The company has exchanged conditional contracts to acquire a nine-acre site in Whitchurch which it intends to develop into a 40,000sq ft supermarket.

"Terrace Hill is currently in negotiations with potential supermarket tenants for the site and will submit a planning application later this year."

Tony Fletcher, regional corporate affairs manager for Tesco, which already has a store in the town centre, today said it was not behind the plans.

Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury's were unavailable for comment.

Rachel Drysdale, Terrace Hill spokeswoman, was staying tight-lipped about which supermarket was eyeing up the site, but she said that the firm had worked regularly with Sainsbury's at other sites nationwide.

She said: "We are not disclosing any more information until the company in question is ready to do so."

And she added: "It's at a very early stage and the client, which is a household name food retailer, is quite excited about the opportunity they have found in Whitchurch."

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson today said he had heard nothing about the plans.

Peggy Mullock, a Shropshire Council member for Whitchurch North, today said she was unaware which retailer was behind the plans or where the proposed site was.

But she said the news was "exciting" and suggested the site would be out-of-town because of its size.

Jim Mullock, chairman of Whitchurch Rugby Club's management committee, said that the club had nothing to do with the deal despite rumours that developers had been eyeing up the site.