Jobs boom in store

By Dave Gudgeon

Last updated 11:49, Friday, 10 October 2008

THIS is the first look at the new Tesco store planned for Wigton which could create 270 new jobs.

First impression: An artist’s interpretation of plans for a Tesco store in Wigton

People living in the town are being given the chance to comment on its appearance and the whole scheme later this month.

A two-exhibition will take place in Wigton Market Hall on October 23 (11am to 8pm) and October 24 (10am to 4pm) as part of an ongoing consultation process.

A Tesco spokesman said: “Everyone is welcome to come along and have a look at the plans we have for our proposed new store in Wigton on the auction mart site.

“We have arranged for the exhibition to be open from early morning to late evening, so hopefully people will be able to get there.”

The proposed new store will cover 30,000 sq ft and have a café, as well as more than 300 car parking spaces and a recycling centre. The planning application for what is one of Tesco’s medium-sized stores is yet to go before Allerdale Council. Outline plans for the proposed store were shown to Wigton town council last month.

Town mayor Brian Warren said at the time: “We had a look through what Tesco are planning, made some comments and put some views across.

“What we are now doing as a council is organising a meeting to get all of the councillors together to put down our thoughts about how the council and Tesco can work together and how we can get Tesco to help with some of our objectives.