A landowner has revealed new plans to build a Sainsbury's food store in the centre of Halstead after months of speculation that Tesco is interested in the town.

Eric Hobbs unveiled his plans for the site in Colchester Road, formerly occupied by Bayer Plc, at a meeting of Halstead Chamber of Trade and Commerce last night.

Mr Hobbs, whose family run E Hobbs (Farms) Ltd and owns the Earls Colne Business Park, Leisure Centre and Golf Complex, bought the former Bayer site last year and after initially looking at residential development, made an approach to Sainsbury's.

Mr Hobbs said: "We are now in detailed discussion with Sainsbury's with a view to promoting a 15,000 square foot foodstore on the site, together with parking for in the region of 100 cars."

Published Wednesday April 14, 2004

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