TESCO has unveiled plans for Barnoldswick’s first superstore.

The retail giant wants to build the supermarket on part of the L&P Springs site, in Ravenscroft Way, off Skipton Road.

Ravenscroft Way

As well as employing 175 people, the money paid to L&P Springs would allow the firm to secure the long-term future of 36 roles.

Bosses at Tesco and L&P Springs hailed the proposed development as ‘exciting’ for the town.

However, a traders’ group said members feared the superstore would have a detrimental impact on independent shopkeepers.

Tesco has joined forces with developer Liberty Properties to come up with the plans, which will be on show at a public exhibition.

Corporate affairs manager Matthew Magee said: “This is an exciting development and we are looking forward to being able to talk to residents and community groups about our plans.

“The development will create up to 175 new jobs for the local area, as well as helping to secure the future of a local manufacturing firm through the sale of part of its site.”

Anthony Joyce, managing director at L&P Springs, said: “The current economic climate has been challenging for all businesses and to have the potential for a major injection in finance is just what the doctor ordered.

“The supermarket proposals are great news for all of our staff, many of whom live in Barnoldswick.”

Emyr Williams, development director at Liberty Properties, said a number of people currently travel out of the town to shop.

“Our proposals with Tesco will keep these shoppers in Barnoldswick, which would be a major benefit for the area,” he said.

But optometrist James Bantoft, of Barnoldswick Chamber of Trade, said: “Tesco is one of the supermarkets with a large amount of non-food products.

“There are a lot of independent shops in town, which will be affected by this.

"I chaired a meeting about it on Monday night and generally speaking, it was pretty resounding – traders do not want it.”

A two-day public exhibition is being held at the Majestic Building, Albert Road, on July 15, from 2pm to 7pm and July 16, from 10am to 2pm.