Sainsbury’s newly-extended store in Kempshott, Hampshire, has re-opened creating more than 100 new jobs.
Over 500 staff will now be serving the customers of Kempshott, including more than 100 people recently recruited from the area.
Lord Sainsbury cut the ribbon at his local branch, which at over 70,000 sq ft, is 1.5 times the size it was when work first started in March.
He was assisted by Elaine Trump and Evelyn Ballard, who are two of 15 long-serving employees, having worked at Kempshott since it opened in November 1988.
The store now has several new features, including a bureau de change, TU clothing and a pizza counter to complement its existing services.
The store also has a new-look Fresh Café, homeware and electrical department and has relocated the site of mother and baby and disabled parking to be more convenient. To give an even more efficient service, the new layout also incorporates 38 tills, plus 10 self-scan tills.
Kempshott producers will also be supported by the new store. The range of local produce includes buffalo mozzarella from Laverstoke Farm, owned by former Formula One driver Jodie Sheckter.
The store, situated on Wallop Drive in Hatch Warren, has built strong links with the local community in its 21 years of serving Kemsphott.
Recent highlights include raising more than £2,200 for the Saxon Wood School, last year’s local charity partner, to buy a computer that helps severely disabled children to communicate, and holding regular visits from schoolchildren throughout the area to talk about healthy eating and Fair Trade.
This year’s local charity partner is Open Sight Basingstoke, a charity to help the visually impaired in the area, which was chosen by customers and colleagues to receive support from the store.
Source: Sainsbury’s
