EXCLUSIVE By Julian Whittle

Last updated 05:34, Friday, 01 August 2008

SAINSBURY’S has scrapped plans for a superstore in Currock Road, Carlisle.

The firm announced in 2006 that it wanted to build an 88,000sq ft supermarket on the site of Rickerby’s farm machinery showroom.

It said the £20m scheme would create 350 jobs.

Sainsbury’s even produced an artist’s impression and detailed plans, right down to the number of parking spaces, and outlined its proposals to Currock residents at a neighbourhood forum last summer. But a planning application never materialised and now the firm has pulled out, although it says it is looking for sites elsewhere in Carlisle.

Regional development executive Joanne Try said: “We are still very keen to have a new store in Carlisle and we continue to investigate a couple of opportunities.

“We feel that there are other sites, which are better in both planning and commercial terms and, which would be better for Carlisle in general and the city centre in particular.”

Sainsbury’s also has proposals for one of its much smaller Local convenience stores in Scotland Road, Stanwix. City councillors are seeking independent advice on the traffic impact before they decide the planning application for the former Gates Tyres premises.

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew is not surprised that Sainsbury’s has abandoned Currock Road.

He said: “I presume they pulled out because of problems with traffic congestion. I don’t think that a store there would have got planning permission on traffic grounds.

“But I’m glad that they are still looking elsewhere in Carlisle because we need the competition.”

Tesco, meanwhile, has confirmed that work on its new Carlisle store in Viaduct Estate will start next month.

The 40,000sq ft supermarket should open next year. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears gave Tesco the go-ahead last October following a lengthy public inquiry.