High hopes for Tesco jobs boost in Millbrook

The retail giant wants to nearly double the sales floor in its ageing Millbrook store as part of a major overhaul to bring it up to date as an ultra-modern hypermarket.

The new-look Tesco Extra hypermarket in Tebourba Way would offer a wider range of food, clothing and other product lines together with an new opticians and improved cafe on a mezzanine floor. The development would increase the number of full-time jobs from 391 to 441.

Latest unemployment figures show there are 356 people on the dole queue in Millbrook. A third are under 25.

The ward has higher portion of job seekers than the average for Southampton.

The store extension is expected to boost turnover by around two per cent with a small impact on convenience trade in Shirley Town Centre, the Lordshill Sainsbury's store, the city centre Asda store and Waitrose in Portswood.

The plans are expected to sail through after just one resident lodged an objection questioning the need for the extension and citing fears over an increase in antisocial behaviour.

Tesco says nine out of ten respondents to a consultation carried out earlier this year backed the changes.

Ward councillors have welcomed the plans which come after Costco won planning permission to build a giant cash and carry store on part of the nearby BAT site creating up to 132 full-time and 117 part-time jobs.

Millbrook ward councillor Asa Thorpe praised Tesco’s consultation and said they had listened to residents’ concerns.

A report by Tesco planning agents Alsop Verrill LLP described the existing store building as “dated”, “unassuming” and “underwhelming”.

The new-look timber-clad store will “create something which is contemporary, impressive and which harmonises with its surroundings.”

Under the plans the retail floor space would be increased from 32,941sq ft to 54,791sq ft.

The plans will go before city councillors on Tuesday next week for approval. The new look store could open as early as next summer.