HIGH-QUALITY supermarket chain Waitrose has this week signed up to move into Chipping Sodbury, the Gazette can reveal.

The company has legally agreed to open a store in the town as part of a commercial and residential development project which is planned to refuel the local economy.

Waitrose director of development, Nigel Keen, said: "We are delighted to have signed an agreement which, subject to planning permission being granted, commits us to the scheme.

"We firmly believe that a Waitrose food shop will help add to the vibrancy of the area and offer more choice for the town."

The agreement is the strongest sign yet that the store will open in 2011 and has been welcomed by shoppers.

Waitrose and developers Chelverton Deeley Freed plan to construct a pedestrian walkway over the River Frome to link the supermarket, a small housing development and a rank of new shops, on the former Barnhill Quarry site, with the High Street.

Paddy Fox, director of Chelverton Deeley Freed, said: "This has given us the boost we needed to move forward with a well planned, sustainable development which we believe will enhance the future of Chipping Sodbury, providing long-term benefits to the community.

"We anticipate that the development will provide additional employment opportunities both during construction and once the retail element is complete."

However, some traders say it could signal the end for the town’s independent shops.

Steve Daniels, who owns Artingstalls butchers on the High Street, said: "It will be the end for Chipping Sodbury.

"I have never known a supermarket do a small shop any good whatsoever.

"Who is going to do their shopping in a supermarket on a rainy day in November and then walk to the butchers for their meat?

"We have been told Waitrose will help us increase trade but we are quite happy with what we have and if it is not broken don’t fix it."

Sodbury Town Council has lent its support to the scheme and public consultations last year and in 2007 showed a majority supported the development.

David Shipp, chairman of the town trust, said: "The trust would have to cater for sports and recreational facilities for 300 more people if the proposed homes go ahead.

"We are already bursting at the seams but we have been told money from the development would be made available to improve The Ridings training ground on Wickwar Road."

* Waitrose has just been voted Britain’s favourite shop for the second year running in a survey by consumer magazine Which? However, the company was found to use the most packaging by the Local Government Association in a survey of supermarkets out this week.