A SUPERMARKET development could bring 200 jobs for long-term unemployed people in Glasgow.

Tesco wants to open a superstore in Cathcart Road. If approved it will bring 400 jobs – and half will be reserved for workers struggling for employment.

The plan is part of a wider scheme to build housing, office space and a supermarket as part of the wider regeneration of the Gorbals.

Anyone who has been unemployed for six months or more can apply for the jobs and receive training without losing any benefits.

Gloria Coats, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "Our regeneration partnership plans for Cathcart Road will ensure our workforce is wholly representative of the community and help hundreds of local people back into employment.."

The jobs come as part of the Tesco Regeneration Partnership scheme, which has seen 4500 long-term unemployed people back into work across the UK.

Ms Coats added: "This programme has proved highly successful in helping the long-term unemployed back into work in Glasgow and in our stores across the UK.

"If our store plans are approved, we would look forward to bringing this successful Partnership to the Gorbals."

Glasgow City Council will likely consider the plans for the Cathcart masterplan on Tuesday. The application would then be sent to full council to be approved.

If the plans are passed Tesco will then work with local employment groups to provide training and support to the long-term unemployed.

Tesco said that during its public consultation 100% of respondents supported the proposals for a supermarket at the Cathcart Road site.

However, last month Gerry Gormal, the outgoing director of development and regeneration services at the council, expressed concerns about the development.

He said the scheme would "limit pedestrian access by the key community that the store is intended to serve" and would draw shoppers away from local town centres.

It is planned to build the development on land owned by businessman Sir Willie Haughey's company, Crown Street Developments, which bought the plot for nearly £13million.

People can find out more about the proposed Regeneration Partnership and careers in Tesco at www.tesco-careers.com or contact Gloria Coats on 0845 521 8425 or tesco@ communityline.org

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk