SAINSBURY’S is refurbishing its supermarket in Foss Bank, York, this September.

The supermarket announced the plans as it confirmed it would no longer be extending its Foss Bank store into the adjoining premises formerly occupied by Homebase, which is now up for sale.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said the supermarket had decided to upgrade the existing supermarket instead.

He said: “We are always looking of ways to improve the shopping experience for our customers. Works to refresh our Foss Bank store are scheduled to take place over a number of weeks in September and will be planned to ensure minimal disruption to our customers.”

Earlier this month, it was announced that home and garden store HomeSense, a sister company of TK Maxx, had signed a deal to move into Foss Islands Retail Park creating 35 jobs when it opens in August. Waitrose is also moving into the old MFI site on Foss Islands Road, creating 180 jobs.

The old Homebase unit has been empty since the retailer moved to a 35,000 sq ft store in Foss Islands Road in March 2008.

Sainsbury’s, which owns the site, was given planning permission by City of York Council in April 2004 to demolish both its current store and the Homebase outlet next door and replace them with a larger supermarket.

Coun Janet Looker, Labour councillor for Guildhall ward, said: “This is a real shame. Expansion of Sainsbury’s would have created new jobs for the city at a time when they are needed more than ever. I just hope whoever purchases this site will be interested in creating as many if not more jobs.”