PENARTH is set for a high street boost, following Sainsbury’s announcement that it WILL open a new store in the town centre.

As previously reported in the Penarth Times, the supermarket giant submitted an application for a premises licence to the Vale of Glamorgan Council for the sale of alcohol at the former Woolworths store on Windsor Road.

A decision on the application is expected to be made next week, but Sainsbury’s has now acquired the site.

Work on a downscaled version of the company's larger supermarkets will begin at the end of the November, with the new convenience store set to open in the new year.

Around 25 jobs are expected to be created as a result.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: "We have now acquired the site and will be starting work on developing a new 2,700 sqft local convenience store for the Windsor Road community at the end of November.

"The store would open in the new year."

The news will come as a boost to Windsor Road traders and shoppers.

Woolworths closed in January after the company failed to secure a buyer for its 807 stores across the UK, following administration.

The Local off-licence, also on Windsor Road, shut earlier this month with eight members of staff losing their jobs, and Huw’s Garden Basket, on Glebe Street, also closed after reporting a drop in sales.

However several new shops, including a mobile phone shop and a fashion store, have opened in recent weeks in the town centre.

* Job vacancies at the new Sainsbury’s store will be advertised on www.sainsburys.co.uk and at Penarth job centre.