Plans are on the table to extend the Sainsbury's store in Deepdale by the size of a football pitch.

It follows last week's news that the supermarket firm reported like-for-like sales for the final quarter of 2008 were up 4.5% year-on-year.

And it comes as many other leading retailers are shedding jobs or closing completely.

The 2,481 square metre expansion will allow the Flintoff Way store to stock a "broader range" of food and clothing products and to provide wider aisles for customers.

Part of the addition will be new entrance lobby and a new cafe on a mezzanine floor, freeing up space on the ground floor for extra stock.
Check-outs will also be upgraded to reduce queuing times.

At the end of last year, members of the public were able to comment on the expansion plans during a consultation event.

Of the 130 who responded, 87% were in favour of the expansion.

A spokesman for the London-based chain said: "The Deepdale store already stocks the full range but the extension will make it possible to have a larger and broader range of things, plus new and improved food and non-food ranges."

Members of Preston Council's planning committee will make a decision on the application in the next few months.

Hugh Evans, policy director of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is welcome news especially coming on top of the announcement that Tesco's and Aldi's sales figures are also bucking the trend."

Coun Joyce Cartwright, who represents Deepdale on Preston City Council, said: "Public transport should be going into the Sainsbury's complex to alleviate the heavy traffic which we are already suffering from."

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