ONE of the big four supermarkets has ruled itself out of creating a store on the Wentworth Street car park site in Malton.

Sainsbury’s has issued a letter to developers GMI Holbeck informing them that they are not interested in occupying the proposed development.

Jo Try, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said: “We have decided not to proceed with any negotiations with GMI Holbeck as we believe the Wentworth Street car park site is not suitable for a food store.

“Sainsbury’s has explored the site in great detail and it has been through our rigorous store analysis process. We reviewed the site in 2008 and decided then that it was not suitable for a Sainsbury’s store.

“We recently met with GMI Holbeck to discuss their proposals but our conclusion remains that Wentworth Street car park is not capable of providing the size and quality of food store that Malton requires.

“In addition, we believe there are significant problems with access to the site and the tight roads surrounding it.

“Sainsbury’s is, however, still interested in bringing a new store to Malton and is looking at other possible sites in the town.”

Ryedale District councillor Paul Andrews said the supermarket was right.

“The council’s own consultants, Roger Tymms and Partners, have been saying for a very long time that Wentworth Street car park is not a suitable site for a large supermarket, and the council’s determination to sell the car park despite of this is astonishing and outrageous,” he said.

“It has been apparent for a very long time that the council has been trying to interest Sainsbury’s in the site, although they would never admit this.”

Coun Andrews said that the withdrawal of Sainsbury’s from the negotiations raises even greater concerns.

He said: “The council has been saying for a long time that what Malton needs is a “medium to high range supermarket.

“This description fits Sainsbury’s perfectly. So, if Sainsbury’s has withdrawn, the question which immediately springs to mind is: “is the council still going to insist on a medium to high range supermarket or are they simply going to open the doors to all comers?” The risk is that Ryedale is so blinded by money that they will throw away what little concern they may still have for the welfare of Malton and Norton, their businesses and residents – just to balance the Council’s books.”

Coun Andrews added that another concern was that Sainsbury’s would look instead at the showfield which was even further from Malton town.

“This would be even more disastrous for Malton local businesses than the car park and cause just as much chaos on Malton’s narrow roads.”