THE new Tesco store at Kinson has been handed over by its builders as its opening draws near.

Building work at the site in Wimborne Road is winding down and store manager, Trevor Henstridge, has been presented with the keys by site manager, Peter Corner.

Trevor said: “Having the keys to the store is a landmark moment for us as we inch closer to the store’s opening date.

“Now that most of the building work is complete, we can now begin to prepare the inside of the store so that we are ready to welcome our first customers later this month.”

The 24,000 sqft store, which Tesco says has created 151 jobs – with 16 of the jobs going to long term unemployed people – will offer grocery essentials, as well as a bakery and a hot chicken counter.

It has been largely welcomed by the Kinson community and business leaders, who see it as offering a focal point that will make the area a destination for shoppers.

But the development has not been without its problems, in particular the roadworks in Wimborne Road.

Trevor added: “I would describe our new Kinson store as a classic supermarket with a great food offer, but we will also have a small range of F&F clothing and non-food ranges from cards and stationary to beauty products and household cleaning items.

“We are confident that we have a great range of products at the store, but our main aim is to be able to deliver excellent customer service to all our customers. The 151 new team members have been training at nearby Tesco stores so that we can provide the best possible service, but they will soon be moving to our Kinson store.

“We hope that the store will have a strong community feel and I’m looking forward to working alongside our Community Champion, Sally Teixeira as we build relationships with organisations across the Kinson area.”

The team is now making the final preparations for the opening at the end of January, the date for which is set to be confirmed this week.