THE new Sainsbury’s store coming to Cardigan early next year will attract shoppers to the town and help to create “a thriving high street that will benefit its many traders all year round”, claims the company.

Billed as the firm’s flagship store for west Wales, the supermarket will employ around 250 people.

The plans include: a 30,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s foodstore; 350-space shoppers’ car park; customer restaurant; all fresh food counters and the TU clothing range; cash points and a recycling bank; and a new link road through Pendre and Bath-house to Gwbert Road.

Sainsbury’s is set to reveal the detailed proposals for the store with a public exhibition at the Guildhall from Monday, March 8 to Saturday, March 13, between 9am and 5pm.

It is due to open in Spring 2011.

Jamie Baker, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said: “Since Sainsbury’s is not represented in west Wales, we’re dedicated to developing a state-of-the-art store that will make our offer more readily available to Cardigan’s local community.

“A Sainsbury’s so close to the town centre could also attract more shoppers to Cardigan, encouraging a thriving high street that would benefit its many traders all year round.

“Importantly, our proposals will also create a large number of jobs that will be prioritised for local people. Colleagues will have the opportunity to pursue a range of careers, gain nationally recognised qualifications and benefit from flexible working practices to meet their individual needs.”

He added: “What’s more, our plans will help kick-start further work on the Bath-house development, such as the road infrastructure works, which will create further employment opportunities and help unlock the rest of the long-awaited scheme.”

Sainsbury’s already has outline planning consent for the Bath-house development site but will be submitting a more detailed application to Ceredigion County Council in the coming weeks.