WAITROSE could be building a store on Bromsgrove's former Market Hall site it has been revealed.

Developer the Hinton Group says it is ready to submit a planning application "within weeks" for the site between Hanover Street, St John Street and Market Place.

The site would be a 23,500 square feet development featuring a new ground floor retail floorspace, including a 9,000 square feet Little Waitrose store, creating an estimated 60 jobs.

The current car park on the site would be kept, and refurbished.

The developers say, subject to gaining planning permission, it would be hoping to be on site in early 2016, with the Waitrose store built and open to the public in late 2016.

Hinton Group representatives are in discussions with other operators, who could fill the remaining units on the site.

Before the application is submitted a public consultation event is being held at Amphlett Hall, in Crown Close, off Market Street, where Bromsgrove residents are invited to comment.

Comments would be considered before the final application is submitted in early October.

Representatives from both Hinton Group and Waitrose will be attending the event, answering any questions raised.

John Hinton, whose firm is based in Buntsford Drive, said: "It is an opportunity for people to come and provide their views on what we are planning on the Market Hall site.

"The application should be submitted within weeks."

The public consultation takes place tomorrow, October 1, between 9am and noon.

The site has been vacant since the demolition of the Market Hall in 2010.

Since then a site was proposed to become a cinema with high quality retail and restaurant units, led by Opus who were the original developers.

But the scheme suffered a massive setback when Opus pulled out leaving the authority looking for a new developer - leading to Hinton Group being chosen earlier this year.

A Bromsgrove District Council spokesman said: "The council has been working hard to promote the regeneration of this key town centre site.

"This consultation provides an opportunity for residents to have input into the proposals for the site being formulated by the developers in advance of a formal planning application."