WORK on a new Booths supermarket in Ansdell could begin as soon as next year if plans submitted to Fylde Council are successful.

But before work on the three-acre site can start, consent will also be needed to allow alterations to be made to the traditional cobblestone wall bordering the land.

Parts of the wall, which is a Grade Two listed structure, would need to be demolished to allow access to the store sited just 350 yards away from the existing supermarket on Woodlands Road on land currently owned by Fylde Rugby Club.

The outline plans are for an 18,000ft store with a 150 space car park which will also be available free for users of the Woodlands Shopping Centre.

These plans also include a new roundabout at the junction of Woodlands Road and Blackpool Road together with a pedestrian route linking the existing shopping centre with the new store.

And 100 new full and part-time jobs will be created if the scheme is given the go-ahead with a projected opening date in 2001.

As part of the deal Booths will provide a £500,000 loan to the cash strapped rugby club which will enable to stay at its present location and improve facilities. Booths propose to lease its existing store for non-food retail use and negotiations are already under way with potential occupiers.

A Booths spokesman said: "We are confident the new store will bring mutual benefits for both the company and the town's traders.

"We are pleased to be supporting Fylde Rugby Club in this way while looking forward to bring an exciting new development to the town."

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