A FreshChoice supermarket may be opening in Balclutha.
It is understood property recently sold in Clyde St, Balclutha, has been bought by Progressive Enterprises, which owns supermarket franchises Countdown, FreshChoice and SuperValue.
Progressive Enterprises would not comment directly when questioned yesterday.
Progressive Enterprises general manager for property Adrian Walker
said in a statement Progressive Enterprises was always on the lookout for new opportunities to open supermarkets.
''This means regularly looking at a number of sites across the country. Balclutha is no exception.''
If a new site was confirmed, then Progressive Enterprises would communicate with the local community about it.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he had ''without a doubt'' heard rumours about FreshChoice but could not confirm if they were true.
''We've all seen those sold signs go up in those buildings and that's leading to further speculation but I've had no official announcement as to what it is.''
He believed the speculation related to the changing of ''under contract'' to ''sold'' signs placed in the series of buildings on the corner of Clyde St and Charles St.
''I'm not in a position yet to make an official statement.''
Licensed real estate salesperson Bryan Hayden said he was not in a position to reveal who bought the buildings.
''I'm sworn to secrecy and I can't disclose any details.''
Clutha District Council chief executive Steve Hill said the council had sold land next to the buildings in Clyde St.
The Otago Daily Times understands it was bought by the same entity.
However, a confidentiality clause applied to the sale and purchase agreement and the council was unable to identify the entity or person who bought it.
