Supermarket chain scales back plans for new branch in St Ives

Artist's impression of Morrisons, in St Ives (Image: Archant)

The company was given planning permission by Huntingdonshire District Council in 2013 but it has now revealed that the store, between Needingworth Road and Harrison Way, will be much smaller than originally planned.

A spokesman for Morrisons told The Hunts Post: “We have redesigned the store to better suit the local area and the needs of our shoppers.”

In the new plan, which was announced earlier this month, the size of the supermarket has reduced from 63,750 sq ft to 44,000 sq ft, with the addition of a 10,500 sq ft unit for a non-food retailer.

In the application the store will also be built at ground level instead of raised up on stilts, as initially designed.

Despite the changes, the plan for the store to have a petrol station and a café are still incorporated with the addition of an outdoor seating area for the customer café.

“Although smaller in height and size, the new store will still include our full range including Market Street where our skilled crafts people freshly make foods each day, the Nutmeg clothing range and our popular customer cafe,” the spokesman added.

Originally, the supermarket was due to be completed in the middle of last year and although new plans have been submitted to the district council the company has yet to produce a schedule for when construction will start and the store will open.

The store will create about 200 new jobs, with the additional retail unit adding up to 30 more jobs for local people.

As a part of the new proposals leaflets have been sent to about 8,000 homes across the town detailing the changes.

The spokesman added: “We are keen to hear the community’s thoughts on our new plans and look forward to hearing back from shoppers, councillors and Huntingdonshire District Council.”

To view the proposals, or to have your say, call 08003 196162 or e-mail

morrisons@localdialogue.com.