A PLANNING application which could see the size of the Tesco Extra store in Leigh reduced by up to a third has been submitted to Wigan Council.

Tesco PLC wants to create a new shop unit which will be rented to another company in order to ‘create a better retail destination’.

A spokesman for the company said no jobs will be lost if the store is downsized and that it is looking at ways to create a great shopping environment for customers.

“As part of our plan to make our Leigh Extra store an even better retail destination for our customers, we have applied to transform part of our existing space into a new shop unit,” said the spokesman.

“We are excited to be bringing a great new offer to our customers in Leigh. The store will continue to offer everything our customers need for their weekly shop.

“We are in discussions with potential operators for the new space and will be sure to keep customers updated as the planned improvements progress.”

Although Tesco will not need planning permission from the council to change the interior of the Derby Street store as long as it is still used for retail purposes, it will need permission to change the exterior in order to build an entrance to the new store.

The spokesman added: “We will keep any disruption to a minimum so that our customers can continue to have a great shopping trip at our Leigh store.”