Fort William residents are being invited to attend a community engagement event on proposals for a new supermarket on North Road.

The event, to be held from 10am to 9pm on Wednesday March 31 at the Nevis Centre, will showcase the current proposals by developers Morbaine Ltd for a 55,000 sq ft store on the A82, just south of the entrance to the Alcan site.

Members of the public will be able to speak to the project team and give their feedback in person and in writing. Exhibition boards will give visitors an idea of what the finished store could look like, together with information about the planning process.

Morbaine director Alex Brodie said: "We are really looking forward to showcasing our exciting proposals for North Road to people in Fort William and the surrounding area.

"If approved, the new store will bring increased choice for shoppers and boost the local economy by providing approximately 200 full and part time jobs and regenerating a neglected brownfield site.

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"Depending on the outcome of the planning process, we would anticipate having the new store built and open in time for Christmas 2011, making this project realistic and achievable."

The store would be only the second of its kind in Scotland, in that it would be on two levels – with the ground level forming a well-lit, secure and weatherproof car parking area and the sales floor on the upper level. Shoppers will have direct access from car park to store via 'travelators' capable of carrying shopping trolleys.

He continued: "We want as many people as possible to give us their feedback so that we can make sure our planning application to Highland Council takes into account a broad cross-section of opinion.

"Morbaine will continue to own the site after any store is built, so we have a strong interest in making sure this development meets the needs of local people."

In addition to the exhibition, anyone wishing to make comments prior to the submission of the application may do so by writing directly to: Morbaine Ltd, The Finlan Centre, Hale Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 8PU, or by completing one of the feedback forms at the exhibition or online at: www.morbaine.co.uk The deadline for comments is Wednesday 14th April 2010.

Any such comments do not constitute representations to the planning authority. Further opportunity to make representations to Highland Council will be available following submission of the planning application.

(GK/BMcC)