MORE than 200 jobs will be created with the opening of a new supermarket in Hook, Sainsbury’s claim.

The supermarket giant has revealed it is the company that has an option on land at the corner of the A30 and the B3349.

Land for “convenience retailing” was included in the Hart District Council draft Local Plan for development up to 2029.

The supermarket company wants to build a 30,000 sq ft store, which would be double the size of the Tesco supermarket in Station Road.

Andrew Pepler, Sainsbury’s regional town planning manager, said the plan would create 200 full-time and part-time jobs and help keep people shopping locally. The firm claims that one third of shoppers in Hook still drive to stores in Kempshott, Basingstoke and to Fleet to buy food, and that the Hook Tesco store is trading above average levels.

Mr Pepler said: “We are very excited about our proposals for a new foodstore. Our proposals would improve main food shopping choice for people living in Hook and the surrounding villages.”

The firm has sent out a four-page brochure to more than 10,000 homes in Hook, to learn people’s views before an application is submitted.

The plan includes creating two entrances to the store – one from Griffin Way North, for customers, and the other from London Road, for service vehicles.

Current proposals include an in-store bakery and restaurant, a hot pizza counter and a car park with 320 spaces.

Last month, The Gazette reported that Hart believes the supermarket could be built in the next four years, if approved.

Representatives from Sainsbury’s will be at a public exhibition of plans to build 500 homes in North East Hook.

This will take place between 2pm and 7pm today and 10am and 3pm on Saturday, at Hook Community Centre, in Ravenscroft.