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New Kingswinford Morrisons store shelved

Morrisons has shelved plans to build a new supermarket in Kingswinford, which would have created 300 jobs.

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The supermarket giant had intended to demolish its existing store and build a replacement next door.

But the plans for the store in Stallings Lane have now been put on hold, the supermarket giant has confirmed.

The decision comes just weeks after Morrisons announced two stores in Sandwell were among 11 earmarked for closure after revealing a slump in profits.

Morrisons was originally given permission to flatten its existing store in Kingswinford and build a replacement in 2013 and overhauled the plans last year - but they have now stalled, in the face of the retailer's national struggles.

The new store would have measured around 5,932sq m and created 368 jobs, with the decision not to press ahead deemed 'disappointing'.

Kingswinford Councillor Patrick Harley said: "There have been rumours for some time that the store expansion wasn't going to happen and it's disappointing to have that confirmed.

"It's a very busy store and a larger store there would create more jobs and would be used by people coming here from Dudley and beyond.

"The disappointing part is that this would have created more than 300 jobs and that's not going to be happening now."

Mike Wood MP said: "Although it's disappointing that Morrisons have decided not to expand their Kingswinford store for the moment, I hope that they will continue to look at how they can invest in the town.

"It's an extremely popular store and further investment would mean even more jobs and better opportunities for local people, as well as a successful and profitable supermarket for Morrisons."

Other parts of the scheme included the creation of a replacement petrol station and the demolition of an industrial unit.

When the plans went in, bosses at Morrisons said they wanted to build the new bigger store as the existing store is not big enough and the aisles are too narrow.

The development was due to create 368 jobs split between 120 full-time and 248 part-time.

Morrisons spokeswoman Sarah Atta said: "Our plans for a replacement store at Kingswinford have been put on hold and, in the meantime, we are looking at how to improve the store."

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