Town supermarket creates 200 jobs

The Bath House project received planning permission in 2006

Sainsbury's is to create about 200 jobs in Ceredigion as part of a £50m project to build a supermarket, a GPs' surgery, a hospital and flats.

The firm said it was delighted to be part of Cardigan's Bath House project.

As part of the first phase of the work, 48 flats for people aged 55 and over are being built, which is expected to be finished by Christmas 2010.

The proposal was given planning permission in 2006, but a dispute over a strip of land had delayed it.

There were also concerns about traffic issues, but they were resolved in December 2008.

The Bath House project is expected to create a total of 600 jobs.

'Excellent reputation'

Developer Liberty Properties said the 2,787sq m (29,988 sq ft) Sainsbury's store, which has outline planning consent, will create in the region of 200 jobs.

Company director Emyr Williams said: "First and foremost, it (Sainsbury's) will bring forward essential road infrastructure works that will improve access to the site and unlock the rest of the scheme, bringing forward the hospital development site."

He added that the supermarket chain had an "excellent reputation" for sourcing locally and supporting local producers.

Sainsbury's development surveyor Vicky Shaw said the company was "committed to investing in Wales" and was "delighted to be part of the development of the Bath House area of Cardigan".

She added: "As well as creating job opportunities for local people, we believe that a Sainsbury's will help retain expenditure within the town centre.

"Our experience suggests that the increased retail activity so close to the town centre will bring economic benefits to many of the town's small traders."