Waitrose awarded Guildford contract for ex-theatre site

The site will be turned into a new supermarket, affordable homes and community buildings

A supermarket giant has been named as the preferred bidder for the site of a redevelopment in a Surrey town centre.

Work on the site of the former Bellerby Theatre in Guildford began last week with the demolition of two buildings.

Proposals will see it turned into a supermarket, homes and community facilities, with a planning application due to be submitted early next year.

Waitrose was awarded the contract after a competitive tendering process. It said up to 150 jobs would be created.

The buildings being demolished on the site are Victoria Court and North Place day centre, whose occupants have been relocated elsewhere in the town.

Guildford Borough Council said the footpath from York Road to Haydon Place would be closed temporarily during the demolition period.