Sainsbury’s and Muse will submit a joint full application to the council for the 60,000 sq ft store and 600 car parking spaces this week.

The site formerly known as Talbot Gateway has now been renamed the Central Business District scheme and will lead the town’s modernisation plans.

Mike Horner, regional director for Muse Developments, said: “A full application is being submitted this week and if planning consent is granted in the new year we hope to be on site by next summer”.

Cllr Simon Blackburn, leader of Blackpool Council, added: “I know these plans are going to be welcomed by so many Blackpool residents who are keen to see a large supermarket in the town centre.”

Working in partnership with the council, Muse is aiming to deliver a comprehensive redevelopment of the north eastern part of the town.

Outline planning consent for the entire scheme was obtained at the beginning of last year and detailed applications were submitted in September for the remaining parts of the first phase, the refurbished multi storey car park and council offices.

If successful, work on the new council offices will begin early next year.

A raft of building contractors are understood to have also prequalified for the job to build new council offices – a key part of this big project.

The council office block will anchor the larger £220m regeneration scheme planned to breathe new life into the seaside town.  The single stage design and build contract covers shell and core and fit-out for at least 85,000 sq ft of offices.

Muse is also in the throes of naming a civils contractor to carry out around £8m of preliminary highways and utility diversions for the Central Business District scheme.