A member of staff working at Sainbury’s in Forestside in Belfast

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s is planning to build a new store in east Belfast.

Situated six miles from Belfast City Centre on the Upper Newtownards Road, the food and clothing retailer is planning to create around 500 full time and part-time jobs if it gets the green light.

And a further 400 jobs will created in the construction of the store and up to another 200 in independent retail units on the site.

It will be a massive boost for the economy in east Belfast which has seen rising unemployment in recent years.

The proposal, which is currently with the Department of Environment’s Planning Service, is to build the store on the site of the former Roll Royce factory which has been lying vacant for years.

In a statement, Sainsbury’s said: “The employment benefits of the proposal are very substantial.

“It is anticipated that the Sainsbury’s store in particular will provide significant job opportunities for the local community, with up to 500 full and part time jobs created.

“Sainsbury’s is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to working with local agencies to develop local recruitment and training initiatives.

“It also provides all colleagues with further skills training to enable them to enhance their career with the company.

“There will also be jobs available in the other parts of the development.

“Although details will be dependent on specific occupiers, a further 200 posts may be created.

“In addition to this, over 400 job opportunities are anticipated throughout the construction period, providing a much needed boost to the construction industry.”

It is expected that Sainsbury’s will start an initial recruitment screening process in the middle of September.