VERWOOD shoppers will be seeing double this autumn when they visit superstore Morrisons.

For at the Chiltern Drive site, there will be not one, but two branches of the supermarket standing side by side.

However, the older building will soon be torn down to make way for a new car park.

Harriet Rodgers, communications adviser for Morrisons, said: “The old store will be taken down completely, and we’re going to rebuild a brand new store and petrol station in the current car park.

“The older store will then become the new car park.”

But there will be no need for customers to go elsewhere during the redevelopment process.

Ms Rodgers said: “The new store will be built while the older one remains open.

“There is a car park adjacent to the site, so it means that there should be no problems or closures for our customers.”

The new build will cover 64,771 square feet – 34,799 sq ft larger than the existing building.

“The new store is expected to be complete this autumn,” said Ms Rodgers.

“Upon completion, the existing store will be demolished over three weeks. We have worked very closely with the community, local residents and the council on this project.”

And the redesign will even create new jobs for residents, with around 50 opportunities available.

Many of the available jobs will be in fresh food preparation, with new employees to be recruited for the deli, cake shop and a Fresh to Go takeaway area.

Positions will also be available at the new cafe.

The store’s general manager, Martin Rolfe, said: “We are searching for great people who would like to join us in our new Verwood store.

“We want to deliver more of what matters to Verwood customers when our store opens this autumn.”

An open day for anyone interested in applying for a job will take place at the site on June 23 from 4pm until 7pm, and from noon until 5.30pm on June 24 at The Hub on Brock Way in the town.

 

  • The supermarket expansion was made possible through the sale of Verwood Leisure Centre land to Morrisons.
    Money from the deal was poured into building a huge new health and fitness suite at The Hub, contributing to the building of a new sports hall at Emmanuel Middle School, and providing new sport pitches at Potterne Park.