SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury s is planning to open a store in Ely – creating more than 300 jobs for local people. The company is proposing to open the store on the vacant Ely Chemical Company site, on Lisle Lane. Robert Oxley, Sainsbury s regional developm

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's is planning to open a store in Ely - creating more than 300 jobs for local people.

The company is proposing to open the store on the vacant Ely Chemical Company site, on Lisle Lane.

Robert Oxley, Sainsbury's regional development executive, said: "I think it's incredibly positive for Ely. There will be around 350 full-time and part-time jobs, anything from senior management right down to jobs for school leavers."

The proposals, which will be officially launched on May 8 and include a new 470-space car park and a shuttle bus service into the city centre, have been welcomed by Fred Brown, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council.

He said: "I think Sainsbury's would be an asset to this city.

"It is something that has been needed for a long time. It will give everybody in Ely and the surrounding villages a choice. It is excellent to hear of these proposals and it is good news for everybody, not just in Ely."

Sainsbury's are inviting members of the public to view the proposals at an exhibition in The Lamb Hotel's Coach House room on May 8 and 9.

The proposals include a new customer restaurant, cycle parking facilities, improved pedestrian links to the city centre, new traffic lights and improved junctions close to the site, a new community recycling centre, improved street lighting, landscaping, as well as a home delivery service.

Mr Oxley said: "I am pleased we are moving the plans forward. We have been looking to find a site in Ely for years because we are not represented in the town. It has been difficult to find an appropriate option and it has taken sometime to bring it all together."

He continued: "Ely is a very historic city and while the store will be modern and innovative, it will be sympathetic to the conservation area of Ely."

The company does not yet have a date for submitting its final, formal planning application.

Mr Oxley said: "This is the first stage of the process and it is early days yet. We want people to come and tell us what they think of our proposals. We can't confirm when we will submit a formal planning application - it all depends on the feedback we receive during this exhibition."

INFO: The exhibition is open 12pm-6pm on May 8 and 11am-4pm on May 9. For those who are unable to attend the exhibition, further information is available through the Sainsbury's Ely community line: 0800 019 2205 or by emailing: info@sainsburys-ely.co.uk.