SAFEWAY yesterday (Wednesday) appeared to have thrown in the towel in a fight to build a massive store extension in Leominster. The plan was expected to create up to 50 new jobs.

In a shock move, the company withdrew the controversial bid to expand the Barons Cross supermarket by 40%.

The bid, which sparked a lengthy planning battle, was aimed at carving out a bigger share of the market in sales of non-food items. Critics feared it could kill town centre trade.

Good news

Safeway's retreat, days before the scheme was due to be considered at a planning meeting, was hailed as "very good news for Leominster" by Leominster Civic Trust.

In April, high street retailer Boots the Chemist put the boot in when bosses at the firm's Nottingham HQ protested over the Leominster plan.

Boots slammed Safeway's 'hypermarket concept', which it claimed, would harm town centre businesses.

Objections were also lodged by independent Leominster chemist HG Clewer and by Leominster Town Council.

Planners twice deferred making a decision as retail impact data and Safeway's justification for the proposal were examined in detail.

The food giant claimed customers wanted it to stock a wider range of non-food items at the Leominster store. The expanded supermarket would bring benefits to shoppers and create up to 50 new jobs, the company said.

But the climate changed. New government advice on retail development, focused on "maintaining the vibrancy of town centres."

County planning officials said the Leominster plan breached a raft of policies. They were to urge refusal at the northern area planning committee this week.

The reason for the sudden withdrawal of the application was unknown.

There was no statement from the Safeway press office.

Leominster Civic Trust chairman Dennis Hawkins said: "I am very pleased Safeway has withdrawn their unpopular plan."