By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 11:46, Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Work has begun on a new food store in Carlisle – but developers remain quiet about who will be running it.

The former MFI store has been fenced off

Planning permission for the new shop at St Nicholas Gate Retail Park was granted in 2011, and will combine several units including the former MFI space which is currently vacant.

Planning consultants Savills claim that more than 100 full and part-time jobs will be created, but have given no indication of who will be running the store.

A spokesman said they were in talks with “one major chain”, and an announcement is expected in the coming days or weeks.

The plans include a reduction in the number of entrances and exits to the site for cars, to try and improve the flow of traffic. The rear service yard will be enclosed, and a new service entrance will be created from St Nicholas Bridges. The owners will also fund the installation of a colour CCTV camera in London Road, linked to the council’s CCTV system.

Trevor Adey, from Savills, said: “The new larger food store will improve the choice of food shopping locally. Residents will soon have a quality food store on their doorstep and will not have to travel to out-of-centre food stores for their main weekly shop.

“The development will also help to reduce local anti-social behaviour problems by funding improvements to CCTV coverage and by reducing the number of entrances and exits for cars, as well as enclosing the rear service yard.”

He added: “We hope the new store and the continued support of Carlisle City Council will help to attract other retailers to the retail park and also act as a catalyst for further investment along the Botchergate/London Road corridor.”

As part of the works the Burger King unit will be demolished in the New Year for additional parking.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 20 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk