THERE was good news for unemployed people in Bromsgrove this week with the announcement that 100 jobs will be created by a town centre supermarket's £8 million refurbishment plan.

The Advertiser/Messenger can exclusively reveal that, after months of legal wrangling, Asda has confirmed that work will start in January to extend its cramped Market Street store by 7,000 sq ft.

The scheme has been in the pipeline for nearly three years, but has been held up while lawyers for the store and Bromsgrove District Council, owner of the landscaped area fronting the building, thrashed out terms.

The delay led to the authority having to spend £2.5 million from its capital reserves on the new arts centre, money that had originally been earmarked from the sale of the land for the extension.

There is good news, too, for drivers.

The Leeds-based supermarket giant is to foot the bill for a new two-deck car park with the district council paying for a third tier on the present Churchfields car park next to the store.

This will create a much-needed 60 extra spaces.

The council's contribution will come from receipts from land sales throughout the district.

Asda will also pay for Recreation Road south car park, fronting the store, to be given a long overdue face-lift.

A new barrier "pay for as long as you stay" system will operate on both car parks, which will remain under the control of the council.

The new Churchfields car park, said to be in a "sensitive" area due to its proximity to the parish church, will be a first for Bromsgrove.

Its lower deck will be partly underground, leaving the overall level no higher than the supermarket roof.

Store manager Wayne Isaac said: "We are looking to create a minimum of 100 jobs.

"The extension is an investment which will benefit the town by attracting more customers to Bromsgrove." Council leader, Councillor Dennis Norton (Con, Norton) commented: "This is good news for Bromsgrove as a whole.

"The cabinet is delighted the work is to go ahead."

He added that the store would remain open during the six months or so it would take to complete the refurbishment.