Selby’S council leaders have completed a crucial land deal which will see supermarket giant Tesco expand into the site of the council’s former headquarters.

The retailer has taken over the former civic centre in Portholme Road, in a deal worth £2.5 million to the council.

A spokesman for the authority said the deal delivered “the best value for money for local taxpayers” and boosted Selby’s shopping appeal. It has been made possible by the council’s move to a new base, shared with the new hospital.

Coun Gillian Ivey, the council’s deputy leader, said: “This has been one of the final pieces of the jigsaw for our relocation, which was designed to support the NHS to deliver a new hospital and also to support town centre redevelopment.

“Tesco has now taken possession of the majority of the old civic centre site, with permission in place to expand their store. This will help to bring new job opportunities into our area. The remainder of the site is currently on the open market, as we seek to secure the best price for local taxpayers.”

Deborah Hayeems, on behalf of Tesco, said: “The development of our already successful Selby store will create about 100 new jobs for the area. As part of the deal we’ll also be supporting a number of road improvements in the town centre and there’ll be new landscaping too.”

Permission to expand Tesco was granted in July after an in-principle agreement with the council had been reached in 2008.

The council will use the proceeds from the sale to help fund its relocation to the new site.