SPECULATION was mounting over the identity of the national supermarket chains eyeing up Taunton’s Firepool site back in November 2012.

Major players Tesco, Waitrose and Co-op had ruled themselves out, alongside a number of other competitors, but German chain Aldi was yet to deny an interest in the site, according to the County Gazette 11 years ago.

There was frustration at the lack of progress being made on the former livestock market site almost five years after it became vacant. (And still, almost 16 years on from the closure, little progress is apparent).

Mark Green, of Project Taunton, which was overseeing the redevelopment of the 17-acre site, told the County Gazette: “One national supermarket not currently in Taunton is particularly interested and we’re talking to various others.”

The regeneration of the Firepool site, which had been under discussion since 2005, had always included space for a food store alongside shops and leisure facilities.

Despite Project Taunton’s claim that a chain not already present in the town is showing most interest, it is understood that Morrisons was mooted as a potential runner during a recent meeting with councillors.

A spokesman for the retailer, which has a major town centre store and petrol station directly opposite Firepoo loff Priory Bridge Road, said: “We are always looking at sites up and down the country.”

Taunton Deane councillor Ian Morrell said that although the arrival of another supermarket may not be met with approval by all, the site must be utilised soon to help boost the town’s economy.

“Project Taunton must not keep this land barren in a forlorn hope, especially as they have had little commercial interest for years,” he said.

“We must accept realities of the economic climate and welcome inward investment and the delivery of new jobs to our town while ensuring the design is sensitive to the local environment.

“As the Firepool project has been worked on intensively for nearly ten years, it is disappointing those involved have not proactively varied the offering sufficiently to meet market demands – even before the economic downturn.”

Ian Franklin, of Project Taunton, added: “The Firepool site has always included space for a food store as well as shops and leisure facilities.

“The site has huge potential and is a key part of Taunton’s regeneration.

"It is being actively marketed but any discussions with potential occupants are still in the early stages.

“Project Taunton and Taunton Deane Borough Council, together with development partner St Modwen, will be delighted to announce further development as soon as they are in a position to do so."