The £60m redevelopment of the Crescent in Hinckley town centre has begun with the erection of the first elements of the steel frame for the new Sainbury’s store which is one of the huge new store developments the supermarket hasn't recently scrapped.


The Crescent is aimed at transforming the town centre, with a huge underground car park and a five screen multiplex Cineworld cinema as well as new shops and restaurants.


The development is due to open in 12 months’ time with the contractor Bowmer and Kirkland having worked on the site since summer at a ground working level.


Council Leader Stuart Bray said: “I am delighted to see the outline of the new Sainsbury’s store beginning to take shape.


“This represents a significant investment in Hinckley that, along with the cinema and other shops, will bring a great deal of new employment and prosperity to the town. I am pleased to see that students and a number of other local people have already been offered work experience and employment opportunities on the site.”


Tony Baker, of the developer’s responsible for The Crescent, Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership, said: “This is the latest milestone in the development of The Crescent, Hinckley, and we are delighted with the progress being made. This is an exciting scheme for the town that will bring fresh shopping and leisure choice to the people in the area.”