A FLAGSHIP convenience store developed as part of a new generation of mini supermarkets will open in Southampton this month.
Grocery giant Morrisons is creating 20 jobs by converting the former Ethel Austin shop in Shirley High Street into its first ‘Morrisons M local’ in the south outside London.
The store is one of a new line of outlets providing customers with smaller localised shops focusing on an extensive range of fresh foods including fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and bakery products.
The lion’s share of its 13 Morrisons M stores are in its traditional heartlands in northern England, but the Southampton outlet signals its commitment to targeting new markets in the south.
Last month it was given the green light to create a huge £30m supermarket in the empty East Street shopping centre in St Mary’s.
The Shirley store will provide 20 new jobs ranging from shop floor workers to management roles and company spokeswoman Laura Stubbs said: “We are excited to be bringing a Morrisons M local to Southampton and being a new part of the community.
“We believe this approach sets us apart from many other convenience stores and we also strongly believe in providing customers with good value for money and the opportunity to top up or grab healthy fresh food on the way back from work.”
She added: “We’re always looking for new sites to establish Morrisons M locals and are keen to fill empty shops to help bring the bustle back to the high street.
“Shirley High Street was the perfect fit and we’re confident shoppers will love what they see.”
Shirley ward councillor Satvir Kaur said: “It’s really great that someone is investing in Shirley High Street and creating jobs for the city and bringing an empty shop back into use.”
She hoped it would not encroach on independent traders in the area but added: “Hopefully it will draw more people to the area.”
A spokeswoman for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said: “We welcome Morrisons’ increasing presence down south and the 20 jobs for Shirley are an added bonus.
“It is good for business to have a choice of convenience store in the neighbourhood.”
