Supermarket bosses are distancing themselves from plans to open a new store.

Planning papers have been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council for the conversion of the former office space in the basement and ground floor of Lyndean House in Queens Road, Brighton to retail use.

This would include a new shop front and an access ramp.

Rumours locally are that Sainsbury's is interested in the site, which is opposite a Tesco Express.

But when asked The Argus, the multinational refused to discuss the suggestion.

A spokeswoman for the firm said: “We are continuing to look for well located opportunities for new convenience stores but are not in a position to comment on any plans at the moment.”

If it is a Sainsbury's it would become the firm's tenth store in the city following recent moves into the former Taj store in Old Steine, Brighton, and The Snipe Inn in Carden Avenue, Brighton.

A decision on the proposal, which has been submitted by Zurich Assurance, is expected by the end of the month.