A proposed new supermarket in Longstone, Edinburgh, will go under the spotlight at a public exhibition next week.

Developer Morbaine Ltd is showcasing its plans for an 80,000 sq ft store on the former B&Q site on Inglis Green Road and wants as many people as possible to give their views.

The event will be held at Slateford-Longstone Church Hall on Wednesday April 14th and Thursday April 15th from 10am to 9pm both days.

Visitors will get to see artists’ impressions of the hoped-for store and the project team will be on hand to answer questions and receive written and verbal feedback.

Although a retailer has not yet been selected, several national supermarkets have expressed interest in the site. Morbaine will to continue own the land after any store is built, with the retailer leasing the premises from Morbaine.

Alex Brodie, director of Morbaine, said: "This is an exciting project for a number of reasons – not least because it will bring up to 400 new full and part time jobs to this part of Edinburgh.

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"It will also bring some much-needed additional choice for shoppers. Currently, Asda is the only large supermarket serving people in Longstone and the surrounding areas. The extra competition which this proposed new store could provide has got to be a good thing.

"The proposed store is on two levels – with a secure, weatherproof car park on the ground level and the retail floor on the upper level linked by special ‘travelators’, taking shoppers easily into the heart of the store. As such, it would be one of the first of its kind in Scotland.

"We hope as many people as possible can come along to see the plans and give us their feedback. This will help us refine our proposals before we submit a formal planning application to City of Edinburgh Council in June."

Graham Birse, Deputy Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "The proposed development by Morbaine is exactly the kind of investment Edinburgh needs to help us rebound from recession. It’s important that we find sustainable economic use for this site in order to create jobs and value for local people.

"Shoppers will benefit from increased choice and the extra competition generated will help ensure they are getting value for money. I would encourage everybody in the Longstone area to visit the public exhibition if they can."

In addition to the exhibition, anyone wishing to make comments prior to the submission of the planning 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 Friday 30th April 2010.

(GK/BMcC)