THE Spar is set to take over the former Woolworths store on a 15-year lease.

It is anticipated the deal will be signed in advance of the property coming up for auction on July 8 at a guide price of £600,000 to £650,00.

The move comes as planners are being urged to turn down another supermarket on the edge of town when Lidl comes up for discussion this afternoon.

Commercial property auctioneers Cushman and Wakefield are selling the Woolworths store on behalf of the receiver after the High Street chain folded at the end of last year.

The catalogue for the July sale went on line on Tuesday outlining the details of the store, which has nearly 7,000 square foot of trading space.

It says terms for the East Street premises have been agreed with the Appleby Westward Group Limited, trading as Spar.

Spar will pay £45,000 a year rent for 15-year lease on the town centre store – but the receiver has agreed to 12 months rent free period and the option to end the lease after ten years. Reviews are scheduled for 2014 and 2019.

The Appleward group reported a turnover of £137.6 million, pre-tax profits of £2.2 million and net assets of £6.4 million last year.

Bridport Town Council mayor Martin Ray said there was no change of use involved in the switch from Woolworths to Spar so planners have no say in who or what takes it over.

He said: “I would be very pleased to see the shop open again. It doesn’t look very nice at the moment – there’s been a bit of fly posting.

“I think whether or not we need a Spar shop I would be pleased to see it open again.”

The fact the store will not remain empty has also been welcomed by the town’s chamber of trade, although opinion is divided over whether the convenience store is the best option.