Whether a massive new Sainsbury’s store in Falmouth will ever be built remains uncertain, as the company scales back plans acropss the UK.

Sainsbury’s has planning permission to build a 72,000sq ft store at Ponsharden which would replace the existing, neighbouring store.

The plans show the new store built on stilts with a 577 space car park underneath and travelators to and from the store. There is also consent for a petrol station and an improved restaurant.

Fresh doubts have been cast over the future of the scheme, however, after it was announced that Sainsbury's has scaled back plans for new stores following its worst performance in over a decade.

The chain is mothballing a number of schemes in its property pipeline and plans to reduce the amount of money spent on new space over the next three years as it concentrates on the fight against discount rivals.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s told the Packet on Monday: “We are reviewing our plans across a number of supermarket sites including Falmouth.

Once we are in a position to do so, we will update people on our future plans.”

It is all systems go for the Cooperative, however, with work now started on converting the former Clipper Way pub at Boslowick.