TESCO says it has contributed to the local community as well as creating jobs in the year since it opened a superstore in Kinson.

The 24,000sqft store on Wimborne Road, opened on January 29 last year, after a long-running debate in the area about the development.

The supermarket says a number of its 157 staff were previously long-term unemployed and were recruited in partnership with job centres and organisations such as the Shaw Trust, which helps people with disabilities and disadvantages into work.

Maria Yeomans, personnel manager at the store, said: “We’re really proud of the contribution we’ve made to the local community since we opened. Most importantly, we’ve created lots of new jobs, but I’m also thrilled with the charity work we’ve been doing under our community champion, Sally Teixeira.”

Sally is on the payroll to build links with Kinson’s schools, charities and community groups.

Maria said: “Probably my favourite story is about two colleagues, Marina and Matt, who joined us through the Prince’s Trust last year.

“Both have really impressed since being here so we’ve been able to increase their contract hours. Now they’re engaged, they’ve saved up and, as a couple, managed to move into their first home together.”

Sally said: “We’re pleased to have built up a good relationship with the Bourne Academy, a local school which we’re supporting with work experience and careers advice. And we’ve also had more than 1,000 schoolchildren come into the store on Farm to Fork trails: extracurricular activities we’re organising to teach young people about food production and how to have a better relationship with the food they eat."

Tesco’s opening followed the demolition of a parade of shops and Kinson’s Royal Oak pub.

The development was hotly debated in the area but was backed by Kinson Business Forum as a way of revitalising the shopping area.