Supermarket giant The Co-operative has confirmed that it plans to move into Narberth.

The company is set to occupy the retail part of a new £1.5million redevelopment at a site in the centre of the town.

As the Western Telegraph reported in December, the Co-op emerged as the front-runner to occupy a 10,000 square foot food store proposed for the former Brains Brewery site in Spring Gardens.

A planning application has now been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council by Actoris, who are joint venture partners in the redevelopment scheme with Waterstone Estates.

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative Group said: “The Co-operative has agreed terms to occupy a new 10,000 square foot food store in Narberth and is supporting the planning application made by Actoris. However, it is still in the early stages of the process.”

Narberth’s county councillor Wynne Evans has welcomed the news of The Co-op’s arrival, which could create up to 38 full-time and 30 part-time jobs.

He said: “This shows great confidence in Narberth’s economy, when so many towns are seeing a downturn.”

Other new stores are also on the cards for the town, Cllr Evans believes.

“Two other major well-known High Street brands have had agents in Narberth recently, with a strong possibility of up to a further 30 jobs,” he said.

The planning application for the Spring Gardens site could come to Pembroke-shire county council’s full planning committee on April 20th for determination, Cllr Evans added.