A first glimpse of how a proposed supermarket development could look has been released.

Sainsbury’s wants to demolish the former Bradford & Bingley headquarters and build a store on the site.

The site in Main Street, Bingley, was bought by the company earlier this year after 400 Bradford & Bingley staff based there had been transferred to the bank’s Crossflatts office.

Sainsbury’s was due to hold a public exhibition today and tomorrow as part of its consultation on the plan, which is expected to create about 250 jobs.

The supermarket intends to submit a planning application for a store on the site early in the new year and is hoping to gain the views of the community first.

Kevin MacMillan, regional development executive for Sainsbury’s, said: “We are really looking forward to presenting Sainsbury’s plans to the local community and finding out their views on the proposals. It’s an excellent site with a town centre location which we believe will help to keep shoppers in the town and support the high street.

“In addition, the store would create around 250 new jobs opportunities for the local community.

“Before a planning application is submitted, we want to know what local residents and businesses think about our plans.

“I encourage people to come along and see for themselves and, most importantly, have their say on this exciting scheme, which will bring jobs and investment to Bingley.”

Plans for the supermarket include about 300 parking spaces on two levels of “under-store” car parking.

The store itself will be situated on the first floor, with a cafe on the second floor.

A spokesman for the supermarket group said the store would not extend into Myrtle Park or land occupied by Bingley Swimming Pool.

Richard Holmes, owner of the 5Rise shopping centre, which is situated immediately across from the site and houses a Co-op food store, said: “What I think it is important it does do is consolidate retail in the town centre.

“We are viewing it very much as a positive thing.

“It reinforces the retail offer in the town, but we haven’t seen the plans yet and we will be in a position to comment further when we do.”

The exhibition was due to be held at Cardigan House, Ferncliffe Road, from 11am to 7pm today and from 10am to 3pm tomorrow.

For more information on the proposals and the public exhibition call the freephone consultation hotline on 0800 319 6162.