A SOUTHAMPTON retail site that was once set to become a supermarket, but has instead sat empty for more than three years, is to be turned into a leisure centre, it can be revealed.

Plans for Centenary Quays’ flagship store stumbled after shopping giant Morrisons pulled out of taking over the unit – which they claimed would’ve brought more than 100 jobs to the area.

It was originally meant to be filled by the chain in 2015.

But now developer Crest Nicholson has confirmed that because there has been “no interest” from any other food provider since 2016 to fill the Woolston site, it has taken the decision to change the store’s licence after receiving “serious enquiries from a number of leisure operators”.

As part of its application to the council – which was approved – the developer said: “In the absence of a food operator, it is considered that a leisure use that will serve the local community is a viable alternative that will be able to successfully operate in such a large unit on a long term basis.

“Such a use would also be complementary to the services and facilities provided within the wider development and local area, and would generate the footfall anticipated in order to support the viability of these existing services and facilities.”

Crest Nicholson has not yet confirmed which leisure provider will take over the unit.

Nevertheless, one person who has welcomed the news is Woolston councillor Warwick Payne, who campaigned to fill the store for several years.

“It’s encouraging other bidders are looking at the Morrisons unit, but there have been interested parties before that walked away, so we can’t count any chickens yet,” said Cllr Payne.

“I’ve recently had confidential correspondence with a leisure firm about the empty supermarket. They have ambitious plans for part of the unit, but they’re not quite ready to go public yet, and I need to respect that at this time.

“However, I’m glad there might be some movement with the Morrisons unit following our recent campaign to remove the deadlock, though it’s not a done deal yet.”

As reported, the Centenary Quay site will be home to Southampton tallest building at 27-storeys, and will measure 89m in height.

It comes as part of the area’s £500 million redevelopment, which includes 1,620 homes.

A spokesperson for the developer said: “Crest Nicholson has been actively searching for occupiers for the foodstore and most recently, we have been having conversations with leisure operators about Centenary Quay.

“As a result we have sought to widen the planning permission to provide the flexibility required to react to the interest we have received. We hope to be able to announce further exciting additions to Centenary Quay in the near future.”