A major supermarket is planning to move back into the town centre, with a DVD rental store expected to make way.

Sainsbury’s has put in an application to open a Sainsbury’s Local on the site of the current Blockbuster store in Eastcheap, Letchworth GC.

The supermarket chain currently has a store in Third Avenue in the industrial area of the town, and used to be based in the town centre until 1991.

Robin Ockendon, acquisitions manager for Sainsbury’s, said: “We are proposing to open a Sainsbury’s Local on this site. Blockbuster is due to vacate in the near future and we are delighted to be presented with the opportunity to occupy this unit as we have wanted to open a store in Letchworth Garden City for some time.

“We believe that a new Sainsbury’s Local would support and add to the vibrancy of the existing local shops on Eastcheap by offering a fresh and accessible alternative for local residents looking to top up their main food shopping.”

The store will create between 20 to 25 jobs, with proposed daily opening hours of 7am to 11pm.

Letchworth GC town centre manager Lee Boswell said: “It’s fantastic news to hear that Sainsbury’s are coming back to Letchworth town centre. But it’s also sad to see Blockbusters go.

“ The staff there have been really loyal during uncertain times and I hope they can all find new employment, maybe even with Sainsbury’s.”

There are 11 staff currently employed by Blockbuster. The DVD rental firm was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.