Supermarket deal signed at Longbridge

SAINSBURY’S supermarket has agreed a deal to take an 85,000 sq ft unit in the redevelopment of Longbridge town centre.

Following the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, Birmingham-based St. Modwen Properties is carrying out a long-running, £1bn regeneration of the south Birmingham town, including building a brand new town centre.

The store, which will have a 50,000 sq ft net sales area and 475 parking spaces, is expected to create 400 new jobs and gives the ‘Big Four’ retailer a strong foothold along the A38 south of the city, with other large stores in Selly Oak and Northfield.

Subject to planning consent, construction will commence this summer with an expected opening date of Easter 2013.

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The supermarket in Longbridge Lane will be the centre point of the £70m town centre project which also includes plans for 165,000 sq ft of retail space – amounting to 24 new shops and restaurants – a hotel and 40 apartments.

Mike Murray, senior development surveyor for St. Modwen, said: “The plans for Longbridge town centre have always envisaged a major foodstore and to have agreed a deal with Sainsbury’s to fulfil this key requirement at such an early stage in the project is a massive accomplishment.”

Michael Adenmosun, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, added: “We are pleased to confirm our plans for a new foodstore in Longbridge and are looking forward to playing a part in the area’s future economic growth.”