SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s is expected to open a new megastore in a South Lakeland town in September next year.

Construction of the new supermarket, which is to be built on the soon-to-be-ex home of Kendal Rugby Club (KRUFC) on Shap Road, is to begin in August as the club’s new stadium nears completion.

The store is set to create 350 new full and part-time jobs and includes a petrol station, a cafe, 502 parking bays and an Argos unit within the main shop.

KRUFC brought an end to its 90-year stay at Mint Bridge in a 22-20 defeat to National League Three opponents Billingham.

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Seen by a bumper crowd of an estimated 1,000 supporters, it was the club’s final home fixture before they move into their new home, also to be called Mint Bridge, following a £10 million project carried out by Cheshire-based property developers Morbaine.

Work on Kendal’s new ground, also on Shap Road, began in July 2016 when a ground-breaking ceremony was attended by representatives of the club, Morbaine and the deputy mayor of Kendal Cllr Andy Blackman.

The partnership between KRUFC, Sainsbury’s and Morbaine has seen the construction of a new £3.5m clubhouse at Mill Field, allowing the club to relocate to a new state-of-the-art ground. Once they have moved, a new 84,000 square feet Sainsbury’s store will be developed at the old Mint Bridge site.

Morbaine director Alex Brodie said it was expected the new supermarket would open to customers in September 2018.

“The new rugby facility is due to be handed over to the club some time in early July, subject to some performance on site, but we’re really hoping to have the club in there by August 1,” he said.

“The developers will then take over the old ground from August 1 and look to start construction on Sainsbury’s which will have a gestation period of about 10 or 11 months.

“It will probably be July 2018 when we can be handing over to Sainsbury’s and it’s then up to them when they open, but fitting out and stocking tends to take about 10 weeks. You’re looking at September 2018 for it to open.”

Kendal chairman Stephen Green said there was a lot of excitement about the new stadium, but added it had been a fitting occasion for the final game at the club’s home since 1927.

The new Mint Bridge will have its clubhouse with two large bars, modern changing rooms, a viewing balcony and two pitches – one grass and one all-weather surface – to allow the club to play and train in challenging conditions.

“It was a shame about the result but I thought it was a fantastic day,” he said. “We had a good crowd, everyone was in good spirits and we all had a lovely day. Although we’re sorry to be leaving we’re all looking forward to going to the new ground, there’s that kind of mixed feeling about it.

“There’s no disguising the fact that, although we love Mint Bridge, it is ageing and the facilities need upgrading.

“The new facility will be what you would expect of a modern rugby club. It will be of use to the community much more than the existing site and will be much more of an asset to the community.”

David Evans, South Lakeland District councillor for the Kendal Mintsfeet ward – which includes the rugby club – has however raised a number of concerns about the development of a Sainsbury’s store. Kendal already has an Asda as well as both Morrisons and Aldi in close proximity to where Sainsbury’s will be built, plus Booths and Marks & Spencer outlets in the town centre.

Cllr Evans believes this will have a significant impact on traffic in Kendal but raised further fears about an increased risk of flooding due to the location of the development.

He said: “The building is going to be on a flood plain. In December the year before last we had Storm Desmond when everyone’s worst nightmares came home and lots of people were flooded.

“It exacerbated their concerns. This isn’t going to make things better – there’s a worry it will make things worse.

“For the club I think it’s great and this should be a wonderful relaunch for them and good luck to them, but I will be doing everything I can to hold Sainsbury’s to account for the impact they’re having on the town.”

Mr Brodie, though, was quick to dismiss these claims, saying the plans would not have been given the go-ahead if such concerns were legitimate.

“We have full planning permission and we’ve been through all the procedures,” he said. “No one gives planning permission if there’s a flood problem.

“We’ve got full approval from the Environment Agency for everything we’re doing.”

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s confirmed work on the supermarket would begin once Kendal RUFC had completed its relocation and said it would open in 2018.