Guild Merchant pub in Ingol Pic: Brian Young

A Preston pub is to see a mini supermarket built in its car park.

The Guild Merchant in Ingol, operated by Marston’s, has seen plans lodged by supermarket giant Sainsbury’s.

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Up to 25 jobs could be created if the plans for the supermarket go ahead.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: “We believe a Sainsbury’s Local convenience store would benefit people living in the Tag Lane area, giving them a convenient place to shop, on their doorsteps.

“Our experience of opening other stores shows that when we open a convenience store, other local traders benefit from the extra footfall and customers. Our store would bring 20-25 jobs, which would predominantly go to people living in the local area. We operate a Think 25 policy, where all our staff are trained to not serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 25, or to anyone who appears to be buying for someone under that age.

“We always work closely with the local community, and the store would nominate a local charity, for which it would fundraise and have close links with. We also run the Active Kids scheme, which helps invest in sporting equipment for local groups and schools, and since 2005, Lancashire has benefitted from £1,807,668 from this scheme.”

The pub would continue to operate as normal but with a reduced car park.

A petition has been started by concerned residents who say the Sainsbury’s will affect nearby small independent shops.

The full plans can be found on the city council website, where comments can be left on the planning application.

Do you live in the area? What do you think about the Sainsbury’s? Let us know in the comments below