A SUPERMARKET giant has reaffirmed its commitment to a town centre store in Prestatyn.
Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane has made public a letter he has received from Tesco confirming they are firmly committed to investing in Prestatyn and delivering a foodstore, as the long-running saga over the building of the store off Nant Hall Road appears to be drawing to a close.
The company has also confirmed it is working with Stadium Developments on a new planning application for the site, which they anticipate would create new jobs and help the town’s economy in a move seen as critical to the town’s regeneration.
Mr Ruane has previously spoken out on he felt the lack of progress with Tesco had held the town back.
He is now calling for the company to honour its commitment by making sure the development quickly takes shape subject to planning permission.
Mr Ruane said: “Earlier this year Tesco announced pre-tax profits of £3.4billion for the 12 months to the end of February, a 10.1per cent rise on the previous year and this makes the delay in Prestatyn extremely frustrating.
“Although I am pleased that Tesco has stated its commitment to a store in Prestatyn, what people want to see is movement on the ground and I hope that this will happen as soon as possible.”
Tesco says that planning application is due to be submitted later in the summer and full consultation regarding the revised plans will be carried out by Denbighshire County Council.
In his letter to Mr Ruane, Simon Morys, Tesco’s Government Affairs Director, said the company was “firmly committed to investing in Prestatyn and delivering a foodstore in the town” to benefit both residents and visitors.
He added: “We have agreed terms with Stadium and have instructed lawyers to complete a legal agreement, paving the way for a planning application to come forward in late summer.”
Mr Morys said that Stadium were also keen to move the development forward.
He added: “This more joined up approach to the town centre will see more benefits for the town, including greater job creation, a better economic outlook for the town’s businesses and increased footfall from residents and visitors.”
Cllr James Davies, of Prestatyn East ward on Denbighshire County Council, believes the development will be vital to Prestatyn.
He said: “I welcome the fact that an agreement is drawing near after so many years.
“The town centre has suffered since the growth of out of town developments in the 1990s. The general consensus is that this is a development that has to happen and will bring increased footfall to the town, and free parking would be a big help.”