After months of speculation, the Co-op has confirmed that it plans to return to Maryport.

A planing application for a store to be built on the Curzon Street site of what was formerly Greggains’ Garage was lodged several months ago but without naming the interested company.

Rumours around town suggested that either the Spar shop was being extended from its present site, Aldi was building a new store or the Co-op was returning.

Now the Co-op has confirmed it is applying for planning permission to build a convenience store on the site, almost opposite its former supermarket which was sold to B&M when Lidl superstore was built next door.

The store will be smaller than the supermarket it previously ran in the town.

It is expected to create 10 jobs and would be open from early morning to late evening.

In a planing statement, the company said the new store “will help meet the needs of local residents and will serve a local catchment population and some pass-by trade.

“It will partially replace the convenience floorspace lost through the conversion of their former store to a B&M home store and will trade alongside the existing shops allowing for an improvement in the town’s shopping facilities in accordance with the council’s objectives for key service centres."

Marport Town Council has agreed unanimously not to offer objections to the plan.

Mayor Peter Kendall has registered his desire to speak at the planning hearing, however.

He said he wishes to represent residents on Station Road who were concerned that delivery vans would limit their access to their own garages.

“I still have some doubts about goods lorries going in and out will impact on those residents,” he said.

Four resident objections have been received so far, all concerning traffic concerns.

However, the Trinity Baptist Church objected because the shop would be trading on Sundays and the noise of delivery vehicles.

The town council previously expressed concern about vehicular usage on the A596 and over provision of retail facilities in the area.