Sainbury's eyes council office as potential site for new shop

THE former home of Penwith District Council has been identified as a target for supermarket giant Sainsbury's as One Cornwall "rationalises" its offices.

The grocery chain is looking to strengthen its position across the South West by adding to its store network in Cornwall.

Informal

During informal approaches from the supermarket a number of development opportunities have been identified, with one of the possibilities for a "larger site" suiting the business aims being the St Clare offices.

A statement from Cornwall Council said: "The company, through its agents, has approached the council for details of its larger sites against the possibility that they might become available as the new unitary council rationalises its property holdings.

Among a number of sites throughout the county which fall into the category of "larger sites" is land in Penzance, comprising of the former Penwith District Council offices and also including a number of sports and games pitches."

The statement added: "It is important to stress, however, that the council has not made any decisions to sell any of its sites at the current time, although it is good practice to rationalise offices across the new combined estate as part of the development of the new unitary council."

Revealed

The news comes just over a month after The Cornishman revealed Sainsbury's is planning to develop a store in Hayle on the Marsh Lane industrial estate.

While plans are at an early stage it is proposing a 32,000sq ft store with parking for 320 cars.

Such a development represents what Sainsbury's consider to be a "medium-sized store." The supermarket chain currently has two stores in Cornwall, one in both Truro and Bodmin, and has recently acquired smaller existing stores in Newquay, Torpoint and Bude for rebranding.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: "Sainsbury's is considering opportunities to invest in Cornwall and make our offer of a quality weekly shop more available.

"While we are speaking to a number of landowners as part of this process, we are currently focused on bringing forward proposals for medium-sized food stores in Wadebridge and Hayle."