SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons is set to create a new foodstore with 350 jobs in Fleetwood town centre.

The company this week announced it will be developing the new foodstore at the heart of the town's major retail renewal scheme in Lord Street.

Sheffield-based developer Dransfield Properties won planning permission for the overall scheme earlier this year, taking over a block of older properties to create new shops that will link the traditional town centre with the new Freeport Shopping Village.

Dransfield has also obtained two other High Street names for the development - Poundstretcher and Yourmore - bringing another 75 new jobs. With no major foodstore in Fleetwood at present, residents have to go elsewhere for the weekly shop. Morrisons, who already have one Fylde Coast store at Squires Gate, lodged a detailed planning application for a 73,000 sq ft store designed on a maritime theme this week.

Ward councillor Graham Robinson said: "Personally I hope this will do the town a lot of good, the town does need a boost - we've suffered for long enough."

Dransfields' boss, Mark Dransfield, said: We are delighted to be able to announce that Morrisons, Poundstretcher and Yourmore are part of the town centre redevelopment for Fleetwood.

"This is a significant investment in the area and the result of 12 months of hard work by everybody involved. It will certainly regenerate the town centre of Fleetwood and make it a more attractive environment to shop in."

Once planners give the final go-ahead, it is hoped to start building in the New Year.

Once all the new units are let, an estimated 470 jobs will have been created, plus 300 construction jobs during the building work.

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