THE future of a building originally intended as a supermarket bringing more than 100 jobs to a town remains up in the air.

Construction of the building on the old Dobson and Crowther site in Berwyn Road, Llangollen, has now been completed.

It was originally intended to be operated by Sainsbury’s and had been expected to open by December last year, but the company pulled out of the deal in May last year.

Despite this, work continued on the project amid promises it would be completed and leased to another occupant.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said in July advanced negotiations were taking place with interested parties to fill the site, but as yet nothing has come to fruition.

According to a spokesman, discussions are continuing to find someone to operate the site.

The spokesman said: “We are in discussions with a number of interested businesses.

“We are working to bring the site back into use at the earliest opportunity and once we are able to do so will update the community.”

The controversial plan had divided businesses, residents and councillors in the town, with fears the planned 20,000sq ft store – alongside the River Dee on a site just off the A5 – would kill off trade at the small shops and cafes in the town.

But in a shock about-turn, Sainsbury’s bosses said it would not be them who occupied the new building and blamed changing shopping habits for their decision.

The store, which would have employed about 130 people according to company bosses, was scheduled to be opened at the former Berwyn Road site of Llangollen printers Dobson and Crowther, which moved to Climedw on the outskirts of the town in October, 2015.

There was criticism of the development before it went before Denbighshire Council planners in 2012 when it was described as the most important planning application from Vale of Llangollen in years.