AN exhibition set up by Sainsbury’s, detailing the plans for a new store in Malmesbury, starts in the town hall today.

The supermarket chain is one of two retail giants looking to open new stores in the town, with Waitrose having already shown its plans to the public last month.

Sainsbury’s is looking to build a huge store on the site of Malmesbury Garden Centre, complete with a 30,000sq ft sales area and an employment complex.

Plans would bring a new roundabout on the A429 at Filands and a hopper bus link to the town. It could generate about 200 full and part-time jobs.

Buildbase would relocate to the site from its Park Road base.

Waitrose wants to build a 27,000sq ft food store, with a sales floor of 18,000sq ft, on land behind the Avon Silk Mills.

The store would have a 250-space car park and access to the site would be from the A429 by car, or by pedestrian crossings and bridges from the high street. About 140 full and part-time jobs would initially be created.

The plans were unveiled at a public meeting, where hundreds of people turned up but were refused access as the meeting room was overcrowded, resulting in angry scenes.

Waitrose has since presented its plans at the town hall and had a positive response, with 61 per cent of the near-500 people who turned up in support of its scheme and a further 26 per cent supporting it, but with reservations.

Nigel Keen, director of development at Waitrose, said: “We were encouraged by the response we received at our public exhibition and would like to thank everyone who attended.”

He added: “We are still welcoming feedback over the phone, or online where people can also view our proposals for an 18,000 sq ft store near to Malmesbury town centre before we submit these to Wiltshire Council.”

Sainsbury’s hopes for a similar turnout at its own presentation.

Ben Littman, its development executive, said: “Public consultation is crucial to the development process and the feedback we receive during public exhibitions contributes to the final planning application we submit.

“This helps us develop the most robust plans, which are appropriate for Malmesbury and the surrounding area.

“I would encourage members of the local community to attend one of our sessions, learn more about our proposals and make sure any questions they have are answered. I look forward to meeting Malmesbury residents.”

The plans will be on display and people can question staff at the town hall tomorrow, from noon to 7.30pm, and on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm.