WAITROSE is drawing up plans for its first supermarket in Faringdon, which the retail chain says will create up to 120 new jobs.

The retailer wants to build a 15,000sq ft food store and car park with more than 140 spaces on land north of Gloucester Street.

It says local people will be able to see the plans at a public exhibition in November and comment on them.

Waitrose hopes to submit a planning application by the end of the year and to open by 2012.

Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, said: “We have wanted to come to Faringdon for a very long time, but have needed to be patient while we looked for a location that would meet the town's needs.

"The Gloucester Street site will enable us to achieve that. It has been identified as a preferred location for retail development, but more importantly will provide us with the opportunity to make a major investment in the area without compromising the town's residents and traders.

“We are continuing to develop plans for a food-focused store which will remain appropriate in scale for Faringdon while still creating a significant number of new jobs and enhancing the choice of shopping facilities already available.

“Listening to the needs and the views of the local community is paramount in our approach and we look forward to speaking to local shopkeepers and residents at an exhibition in November.”

Waitrose has seven stores in Oxfordshire, including one in Headington which opened last year in the former Somerfield. Employees of Waitrose become 'partners' in the John Lewis Partnership, entitling them to a share of profits.