£30m retail scheme back on track

The scheme will include a supermarket and a multi-screen cinema

Supermarket giant Sainsbury will anchor a multi-million pound retail scheme in the south Wales valleys.

The £30m project in Bargoed town centre suffered a setback earlier this year when plans for Asda to open a store on the site fell through.

But Caerphilly council said a preferred developer, backed by Sainsbury, had now been chosen.

The retail park at the back of Hanbury Road will also feature a multi-screen cinema, retail outlets and restaurants.

Caerphilly council cabinet member for regeneration Ron Davies said: "We are delighted that the Bargoed scheme is back on track and we have been able to secure such a prestigious food store to anchor the site.

"The scheme received a setback earlier this year when it was announced that the original supermarket chain planned for the development had pulled out."

He added the council had since been working with the preferred developer Simons Group to secure an alternative flagship store.

"The inclusion of a multi-screen cinema, the first of its kind in the whole county borough, is an added bonus and we now look forward to the scheme developing," he said.

The 2.2 hectare retail park is due to be completed towards the start of 2011.

Other regeneration plans for Bargoed include a new bus station in the town centre and improvements to Hanbury Square.