4 November 2009 – Tesco Signs for Rowner’s Phase Two

New store to create 225 local jobs

The Rowner Renewal Partnership is delighted to confirm that the supermarket planned for Phase Two of the regeneration of Rowner is Tesco. In celebrating the news, Hazel Warwick, spokesperson for the Partnership and Group Development Director for Portsmouth Housing Association said:

“This is an extremely important milestone for The Rowner Renewal Partnership. The Partnership’s business plan has always anticipated a major supermarket for the project. The supermarket proposal gained outline planning permission in June 2009 as part of the overall plan for the area. Following Phase One planning permission in October and the signing of the contract with Tesco, the Partnership is now working on the detailed design stage for Phase Two. In addition to the supermarket there will be 373 square metres for some smaller retail units alongside the store.“

Cllr Mark Hook, Leader of Gosport Borough Council added:

“I am delighted that the Rowner Renewal Partnership and Tesco will now be able to secure local employment for people in Rowner. Job creation was part of the Rowner Renewal Partnership’s remit and this is very welcome news not only for Rowner but for the economy of Gosport as a whole. Gosport Borough Council has been impressed by Tesco’s track record of working with communities, its local employment practices and its corporate social responsibility. We know Tesco is keen to work in partnership with us to secure our aims for the future of Rowner.”

Work on Phase One begins at the southern end of Howe Road in January with the first residents moving in summer 2010. The project has an eight year timescale and is expected to be completed in 2017.

Commenting on the proposals Juliette Bishop, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager, said:

“We are extremely pleased to be working in association with The Rowner Renewal Partnership on what will be a major regeneration project for the local area. We believe these are exciting plans, offering significant investment during a difficult economic climate, creating around 225 new jobs at the Tesco store and providing wider retail choice for the community.

“Tesco always aims to employ locally and will work closely with organisations such as Job Centre Plus and Gosport Borough Council to achieve this. Staff will receive on the job training and support to develop their careers at Tesco and we will offer flexible working, part-time roles and encourage job-sharing opportunities and shift-swapping whenever possible.”

Juliette Bishop added:

“Subject to The Rowner Renewal Partnership receiving full planning consent and constructing the store, we would hope to be ready to open the new Tesco store during 2012. We look forward to working with The Rowner Renewal Partnership and the community as the plans progress.”