AN OUTDOOR specialist store which will be the centrepiece of a proposed new retail park is to open its doors in Saltney next month.

Go Outdoors, which specialises in tents, camping equipment and outdoor clothing, will officially open at the former Morrisons supermarket site in River Lane on Saturday, March 31, at 9am.

The new store will create about 40 jobs and features a six-metre indoor climbing wall within the 45,325sq ft building, as well as a 490-space car park.

Mike Williams, head of property and business acquisitions for Go Outdoors, said: “The new store at Saltney will be one of our biggest.

“We’re looking forward to Saltney becoming a key store in our UK portfolio.”

The announcement comes as Saltney councillors gave plans for a retail park in River Lane the thumbs-up.

The development is to include small changes to the area around Go Outdoors, plus the building of five non-food retail units and the demolition of the old petrol station.

Saltney deputy mayor Cllr Dave Evans said: “Anything that brings more people into the area and creates jobs has got to be good.”

There was further good news for the site as last Wednesday Flintshire County Council approved plans by Hawarden Estates to develop a link road between River Lane and Saltney Ferry Road.

The road, once constructed, would complete a loop around Saltney Ferry.

Cllr Veronica Gay said of the go-ahead: “As far as I am concerned this is brilliant news. It would open up the rest of River Lane along the industrial areas and provide extra offices and businesses along there.

“It will make a massive difference to Saltney as it will relieve the traffic down the High Street.”