TESCO has confirmed that its new store in Kinson will open next week.

It will welcome its first customers on Thursday, January 29, from 8am, with official celebrations at 10am - including a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake and Champagne for customers.

The team is busy making final preparations for the day.

Store manager, Trevor Henstridge, said: “We're all really excited for the launch and to welcome the residents of Kinson in to their brand new Tesco store for the first time.”

The opening of the store will be welcomed by many in Kinson, as it is seen as bringing a focal point to the area's shopping centre and it is hoped that it will attract people in who previously did not shop there.

It will also bring to an end the roadworks outside the new store, which have caused problems.

Bob Wright, who runs Poppies Florist and is chairman of Kinson Business Forum, said: “For all of the small businesses it's been really hard with the roadworks, but now we're in the last furlong of it we're dealing with it with a smile on our faces because we know the end of it is near.

“We know that at the end of the day it's going to bring more footfall, bringing the Kinson business area up and bring people into the area, rather than them just driving through.

“The new road layout has opened it all up and made it a lot better.”

In attendance at the launch will be the six shortlisted finalists of the Tesco Helping Hand competition, organised in partnership with the Daily Echo to mark the store's opening.

It will see one organisation win a £2,500 donation and five other organisations each awarded £500 donation as runners-up.

Trevor added: “We have been working really closely with the Bournemouth Echo to launch our Helping Hand competition and the response from readers has been great.

“I hope that once the store is open local people will continue to support the competition by filling in their voting cards with the name of the organisation they'd like to see win.”

Once the store opens the standard opening hours will be 6am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.