By Sarah Newstead

Last updated 09:45, Friday, 17 October 2008

Plans for a Wigton Tesco superstore are moving forward with a public exhibition to view proposals set for next month.

It was announced that Hopes had sold their current auction site, also home to Wigton’s outdoor market, to Tesco in February.

A supermarket will be built on the four-acre site and the livestock market will relocate to the outskirts of town – if Tesco gets planning permission.

Outline plans for the proposed store were shown to Wigton Town Council earlier this week.

Town mayor Brian Warren said: “We had a look through what Tesco are planning, made some comments and put some views across. What we are now doing as a council is organising a meeting to get all of the councillors together to put down our thoughts about how [the council and Tesco] can work together and how we can get Tesco to help with some of our objectives.

“In general, I personally think it would be a good thing for the town, but that is just my opinion.

“I am optimistic we can work with them to benefit the town and we have a good rapport.”

Fears have been raised in the town about the future of the Friday outdoor market if stall pitches were to make way for supermarket car parking spaces.

Mr Warren added: “The council thought it would be best to keep the market in the town somewhere. Whether we can work with Allerdale to find another location I do not know.”

Tesco have also held meetings with Wigton schools which are located close to the site and according to Mr Warren, the possibility of Tesco supporting a cycle pathway scheme in the town has been raised.

A firm date for the public meeting has not yet been set, but a Tesco spokesman said residents would have a chance to see plans and air their views.

He added: “There will be staff on hand, full plans available, artist’s impressions of the site and what the store will and won’t sell. The public will get to come along and see for themselves.“

Tesco are to submit a planning application to Allerdale Council following the meeting. An application to build the new mart on land off Syke Road is expected to be lodged shortly afterwards.