MORRISONS plan to create 300 hundred jobs with the opening of a new store in New Brighton as part of the town’s multi-million pound regeneration.

The country’s fourth largest supermarket has signed a contract to be the anchor tenant in phase two of Neptune Developments’ scheme this week after several years of negotiation.

The new store will offer around 64,000 square foot of new retail space as part of Liverpool-based regeneration specialist Neptune’s ongoing £60 million make-over of the seaside town.

Outline planning approval has already been received and a further detailed application is being submitted this month.

Chris Evenson, Morrisons development director, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with Neptune Developments on this scheme to continue the resurgence of New Brighton.

“We look forward to the opening of our new store and providing a purpose-built Morrisons for the people of New Brighton.”

The new Morrisons will be part of three groups of buildings with associated landscaping and public realm as well as highways and public transport improvements.

Detailed consent was obtained last year for the public realm works including the new model boating lake and an upgraded seafront promenade and improved landscaping and parking.

Phase one, The Floral Pavilion theatre and conference centre, was completed in November after 18 months of development.

The venue was officially opened on December 13 with a gala performance by veteran comedian Ken Dodd.

Neptune believe their scheme will bring shoppers and visitors flooding back to the popular resort.

Looking ahead to phase two, the company’s development director Rob Mason said: "We are very pleased to be putting our relationship with Morrisons on a formal footing with the signing of this contract.

"Morrisons will provide shoppers with much more choice and help to attract visitors to New Brighton.

"The success of the new Floral Pavilion Theatre coupled with the official signing of this deal with Morrisons, as well as the news that we will be building a new Premier Inn and six screen digital cinema, means 2009 has started with a bang for the people of New Brighton.”