Hampshire jobs boost after stores revamp (From Daily Echo)

Hampshire jobs boost after stores revamp

8:56am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

NEARLY 90 jobs have been created by the decision to spend millions of pounds on transforming two Hampshire supermarkets.

The Totton branch of Morrisons already employed 320 staff and has taken on another 60 following a £1.7m facelift.

A similar amount of money is being spent on the company’s Gosport store, which is hiring a further 27 workers.

Last night members of Totton and Eling Town Council praised the jobs boost.

Councillor Chris Lagdon said: “It’s fantastic news that’s particularly welcome following the announcement that the Ford factory in Swaythling is going to close next year.

“I appreciate that they’re not like-forlike jobs.

“But 500 posts are being wiped out in Southampton and the news that 60 jobs are being created locally to us can only be a plus for Totton.”

Councillor Dean Britton added: “It’s excellent news, not only on the employment front but also for customers of the store.

“Following the Ford announcement any good news regarding jobs in the Southampton area has to be welcomed.”

The two supermarkets are being transformed into what the c o m p a n y describes as “stores of the future”, with more than 450 lines of fruit and vegetables.

They include a “fresh market” stocking everything from carrots to tinkerbell peppers and yellow courgettes.

A Morrisons spokesman said: “The stores will feature ice beds and misting technology to optimise the freshness of the food on offer.

“The fresh market concept also incorporates cured meats hanging continental-style above the deli counter, 150 cuts of meat in the butchery and an unrivalled selection of cheeses.”