Tesco in bid to build on land at Cibyn

Aug 28 2008 By Alex Hickey

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is holding discussions to build a super- sized store in Caernarfon.

The retailer wants to replace its existing site on the town’s South Road with a bigger and better facility, closer in size to the 61,000sq ft Tesco Extra in Bangor.

Talks have been held with an unnamed landowner to buy scrub land near the Cibyn Industrial Estate on Llanberis Road to house the new store.

Tesco is unable to expand its existing 21,000sq ft supermarket, which is why it is looking to move.

A company spokesman said: "The talks are at a very early stage and the plans are still very much on the drawing board, however, if they progress we would be looking to instigate a full public consultation process before any submission is made to the relevant planning authorities."

The spokesman could not reveal any details at this stage in relation to the number of jobs that would be created or on the size of the planned store, but did confirm that it would be looking to expand on the current facilities available in the town.

When Tesco Extra in Bangor opened in 2005, more than 200 jobs were created.

The spokesman added that the company’s motivation to move was to meet the needs of Caernarfon shoppers and nothing to do with the planned Bontnewydd bypass.

"Our research shows that Caernarfon shoppers are going to the Tesco Extra store in Bangor which has a much bigger range of produce and products.

"People want that choice and we want to retain shoppers in Caernarfon and offer them the same kind of choice which is already available in Bangor.

"Not only is that more environmentally sustainable but something that we believe our customers want on their doorstep," he said.

Some of the services available in Bangor include a petrol station and restaurant, it also sells clothing, electrical and entertainment goods.

The spokesman said: "We work closely with Job Centre Plus to ensure any jobs created would be offered to local residents.

"We also believe that we are the market leader in Welsh language provision in the supermarket sector, both in terms of employing Welsh speakers and the signage in stores. Any new store planned for Caernarfon would reflect that."

The company has maintained a presence in Caernarfon since 1963, with the South Road store replacing its original Eastgate Street location in 1999, which in turn, became a Wetherspoon’s pub.

alex.hickey