Sainsbury's plans Borders store

Sainsbury's currently operates 20 stores across Scotland

Supermarket firm Sainsbury's has unveiled details of its proposals to build a new store in the Borders.

The firm claims the Kelso premises - which could open by 2009 - would create about 200 full and part-time jobs.

The 30,000 sq ft supermarket would also include a restaurant, home-delivery service and petrol station.

A company spokesman said he believed the plans had local support but they require Scottish Borders Council's approval before they can proceed.

Sainsbury's carried out public consultation into its plans in 2006.

Development surveyor Paul Miller said it now felt the time was right to take the Pinnaclehill site proposal forward.

"By lodging the detailed application, we will be a step closer to bringing the Sainsbury's brand to Kelso," he said.

He added that they believed it was the "right store in the right location" for shoppers in the town.

'Best package'

That is a claim contested by fellow supermarket firm Tesco which also hopes to build a store in the town but at a different location.

It has targeted a site at Spylaw which is controlled by Edinburgh-based Miller Developments.

Its development director, Bruce Lindsay, said it believed it had a better option for the town.

"We believe we have the best package in place to deliver a superstore as well as much-needed new industrial units and office accommodation for Kelso," he said.

He said he believed the Spylaw site could offer more jobs and be developed more quickly than Pinnaclehill.

Scottish Borders Council is set to decide on its preferred location for a supermarket in Kelso when it discusses its local plan later this month.