DOWNHAM'S brand new Morrisons store was officially opened on Monday, bringing to the town more than 100 new jobs.
The store, which represents a "substantial investment" for the well-known chain, was officially opened at 9am by store general manager Marcus Hamill and long-serving colleague Kerry Blackwell.
The Bridge Street store has been developed at the site after a former outlet for Somerfield there closed.
Morrisons confirmed in March it had bought the supermarket premises from the Co-operative Group, which had completed its acquisition of the Somerfield chain.
The Co-op was required to sell off a number of its newly-acquired Somerfield stores due to competition fears. The Downham store then closed in April ready for its extensive refit, Morrisons laying on a free bus for customers to the Lynn store in the meantime.
Mr Hamill said: "We've had an amazing response from customers, and they have been a pleasure to serve. I would like to thank them and my colleagues for making today such a success."
Over the past weeks, the team had been working night and day, he said. Opening the doors and welcoming shoppers was reward for all the training and preparation. Some 66 staff working at the former Somerfield store have joined Morrisons, who have also recruited 111 managerial, full-time and part-time posts making 177 staff in all.
The new store includes Market Street, Morrisons' unique collection of individual fresh food shops.
Source: Lynn News
