Developer aims to create 500 jobs

The developer aims to create several hundred jobs in the city

Plans have been unveiled to create a new supermarket in Inverness, employing about 350 people.

Property developer Macdonald Estates is to seek planning permission for the venture and is thought to be in talks with Sainsbury's and Asda.

It is also proposing a non-food retail development, which could provide jobs for up to 250 people.

The developer said it wanted to bring a new supermarket operator to the Highland capital, increasing choice.

The supermarket would occupy a site currently used as a maltings on the city's Longman Road.

Macdonald Estates chief executive Dan Macdonald said: "A supermarket at this site would create a better distribution of food stores in the city and, along with the other aspects of the development, bring a substantial number of new jobs."

It is expected that the full application will be considered by Highland Council by the end of 2007.