THE final piece of the jigsaw is now in place which will see a town centre supermarket rebuilt and quadruple in size.

Welwyn Hatfield councillors agreed the sell off of parts of Church Road in WGC to Sainsbury’s and signed a long-term lease for the use of the current car park land needed for the development.

Work will begin on the multi-million pound store, which will be over four floors, in the summer with the demolition of the current shop.

Sainsbury’s regional development executive Robert Oxley said: “We’re delighted Welwyn Hatfield Council’s cabinet has, together with the Homes and Communities Agency, now agreed the transfer of ownership of the last remaining piece of the jigsaw, allowing the redevelopment of our store to proceed on schedule.

“With work due to start this summer, Sainsbury’s is looking forward to working closely with the council and with our neighbours, to ensure disturbance to shoppers and businesses during demolition and construction is kept to an absolute minimum.

“In the meantime, we hope very shortly to be in a position to announce which construction partner we will be working with.”

Mr Oxley added: “The redevelopment will make a huge contribution to the future attractiveness and economic vitality of WGC town centre, when the new store opens next year.

“We are very keen to get started and to have the store open and trading as soon as possible.”