80 extra workers as Sainsbury store expands (From Durham Times)

80 extra workers as Sainsbury store expands

1:40pm Friday 15th May 2009 in News

PLANS to expand an out-oftown store have been approved – paving the way for 80 new jobs.

Durham county councillors approved plans by Sainsbury to extend its branch at the Arnison Centre by a third.

The supermarket says the extension, of 2,194sq m, would create 80 new full- and part-time jobs – taking the number of people at the store to 467.

Forty-one parking spaces would be lost, leaving 492 – but six extra spaces would be reserved for disabled users, taking the allocation to 24.

Senior planning officer Alan Simpson, recommending approval, said Sainsbury had carried out a survey of its customers.

There had been 91 comments in support, while 23 raised various concerns.

The City of Durham Trust conservation group objected, saying the city centre is already suffering from shoppers turning to the Arnison Centre and Dragonville estate, in Gilesgate. The trust said this would be made worse if plans were agreed.

But Mr Simpson said the trust had provided no evidence to outweigh the overwhelming support for the scheme.

He said: “This is a positive addition to an established district shoppiong centre, enhancing and meeting the needs of its users.”