Plans for a new £10million Lidl supermarket in Nairn are progressing with an initial planning application lodged with Highland Council.
It is understood that as well as the new supermarket, developers Ziran Land are in discussions with discount store Home Bargain.
Restaurant chain Marstons could also move into the new development at Balmakeith.
An application form was made public on the Highland Council planning website earlier this week, naming the two other businesses looking to stake a claim in the development.
However the document was withdrawn yesterday after it emerged that it had been released to the public by accident.
A layout plan of the site remains as part of the initial planning application.
A spokesman for developers Ziran Land said: “I can confirm detailed negotiations with Home Bargains are advancing as are negotiations with family restaurant operators.
“I must stress nothing is finalised as yet. We are also talking to other operators interested in coming to Nairn whose size requirement cannot be accommodated within the town centre.”
The Lidl supermarket would be built close to Nairn’s existing supermarket Sainsbury’s.
The German company has said that 80 long-term retail jobs and 60 construction jobs would be created.
Tommy Hogg, chairman of Nairn River Community Council, said initial reaction to the plans had been supportive.
He said: “We have had the chance to discuss the proposals at our own meeting and a joint community council meeting and I would say most people are welcoming the idea.
“Of course there’s a few people who are concerned that it might harm the town centre but I think on the whole it will be a good thing.
“A bit of competition never hurt anybody and it will be good for Sainsbury’s too.
“I don’t have a problem with it and I’m looking forward to seeing how it will develop.”
Initial proposals for the design of the site were revealed to the public at a consultation event in Nairn last month.
The developers, Ziran Land, are a privately-owned property company based at Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire.