Proposals for a 7,000 sq ft modern food store have been unveiled for Hamworthy, Poole.

During a two-day exhibition at Hamworthy Library residents were shown how the Co-op intends to replace the store destroyed in a devastating fire in 2007.

A temporary store has been on part of the Blandford Road site since shortly after the blaze and residents are keen for a larger replacement.

The proposal, which local people were invited to comment upon, includes 46 car parking spaces and relocating the public conveniences currently on the Blandford Road frontage.

Previous planning applications which have included apartments on the site have been dropped.

Resident Keith Chick, who visited the exhibition said: “The store itself looks very good. It’s very nearly as big as the original one.”

He said: “The biggest problem I can see, and I pointed it out, is that articulated delivery lorries are still protruding over the pavement.”

Mr Chick, who is a committee member of Lake Resident Association, said that was one reason Poole planners turned down a previous application.

Helen Garry, planning manager for the Co-operative in Hamworthy said they were delighted that so many people had viewed the plans.

“The vast majority of feedback we received was extremely positive towards the scheme, and the few concerns that were raised were predominantly around the design of our delivery area.

“We would like to reassure the community that these plans are still in the development stage, and we will now be talking to the highways department about how we can address the issue.”

They hope to submit a planning application by early November, start work in the middle of next year and open in 2013. All staff will move to the new store and 15-20 new jobs will be created.

She said: “We received many positive comments about the community mural that has been created around the existing site and we are working to incorporate the artwork into the new scheme.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continued support and patience since the fire occurred in 2007.”

The display will remain at the library until Friday September 16.