The contentious opening of a Sainsbury’s Local store in Frodsham will create 20 jobs but has led to concerns being expressed about the impact on independent businesses in the town.

The store, which was granted its licence in September, will occupy the former Oddbins store in Eddisbury Square and is due to open its doors in April next year.

The employment opportunities may go some way to placating those in the community who are keen to preserve the town’s tradition of supporting independent businesses.

Chairman of Frodsham Town Council Mark Warren said: “My personal point of view is that we should always actively promote and support the local businesses.

“A local business providing locally sourced products or  services will always return more pence in the pound to the  local economy, but it's pleasing to know that a well known  upper end brand like Sainsbury's have the confidence to invest  in the town of Frodsham.

“It'll certainly provide local employment, and in the short term  provide a facelift to a corner of the retail precinct that  badly needs  one.”

Cllr Warren added that the council will be addressing the  increased need for car parking space in an upcoming consultation.

While town champion Kate Dodgson believes that supporting  local businesses is crucial for the sustainability of the local  economy, she recognises the convenience of supermarkets.

She said: “Whilst local independent retailers can compete on  price and quality, they can rarely compete with the convenience  of supermarkets.

“For that reason, we have to be realistic in that supermarkets  will continue to be popular as consumers work longer and longer  hours, commuting further to work and generally leading busier  lives making it harder and harder for them to shop locally.

“For consumers that do have a little more flexibility or time,  however, huge savings can be made by shopping locally and of  course support the local economy with additional jobs.”

Peta Brydon, Sainsbury’s acquisitions manager for the North  West, said: “We have wanted to open a Sainsbury’s Local in this  area for a while. Our Sainsbury’s Local stores offer fresh, high  quality food and increase choice for residents, and will also bring  20 local jobs for local people.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming people to our new store in April.”