SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons has reassured shoppers in Wallingford that it is still committed to opening a new store on the edge of town.

In July last year shoppers celebrated after South Oxfordshire District Council granted planning permission for a new 30,000 sq ft Morrisons foodstore on the Hithercroft industrial estate.

The store is expected to create 300 full- and part-time jobs, and provide a £6.7m a year boost to the local economy. Morrisons announced last year it wanted to open by 2015.

But although the application was approved, Morrisons’ bosses said after the meeting that they would need time to consider a planning condition that the store building would have to meet certain design standards.

The chain has now issued a statement informing shoppers that it still intends to proceed.

Alexander Hall, a spokesman for Morrisons, said: “2013 was a year of positive steps for Morrisons in Wallingford and it remains our ambition to bring the community some good news on our new store in 2014.

“Ensuring we can go ahead with the store is an important process and we’re committed to getting it right for our business and for Wallingford.

“We hope to update the community soon.”