SUPERMARKET chain Booths has confirmed it is still interested in opening a store in Grange-over-Sands as the district council considers selling off land for a retail development, reports Victoria Clark.

As previously reported by The Westmorland Gazette, a report before South Lakeland District Council's cabinet concluded that selling Berners Close car park and nursery for a supermarket development would generate the most capital to repair a number of decaying council-owned properties in the town, including the old pool, promenade and railway bridges.

The proposal sparked concern from traders, who last summer banded together to form the Grange-over-Sands and district Action Group to fight plans for the site to be developed into a supermarket after Booths expressed an interest in the land.

A statement released by the supermarket said: "We continue to have an interest in trading in Grange and will await the outcome of SLDC's deliberations with regard to the possible sale of the Berners Close car park

before making any further commitment."

But, when SLDC's cabinet discussed the possible sell-off, director of amenities and development Martin Jayne said the aim of the report was to start a debate on ways to raise money to tackle problems in the town.

He said the council's major asset was Berners Close but urged that before any decision was taken, an independent retail appraisal of the town should be carried out to assess the impact a new shopping development would have on

the town - which the cabinet agreed to.

Mr Jayne also reported that a new document being prepared by consultants on behalf of the North West Regional Development Agency had concluded that Grange was a "classic" seaside resort, which had become a bit "jaded" and was in need of "a few million pounds" investment to help secure its future as a recreational and tourism asset.

Mr Jayne said it would certainly be worth the council asking the agency to follow up the report by allocating funding for the town, but he advised the agency would be more amenable if the council showed it was prepared to work in partnership, ideally with private sector investment.

After the meeting, Grange mayor Aidan Smith said he was reassured by the aim of bringing together different agencies to tackle problems in the town, and to attract the necessary funding.

Ray Fox, vice-chairman of the Grange and District Action Group, said he was encouraged by the NWDA report, and the possibility of drawing down funding to help smarten up the town centre shops and improve traffic flows.