A NEW shop which was left vacant for four years will be reopening this week and has already created more than 20 new jobs.

The former Co-operative, Budgens and Somerfield site on Bell Street has been vacant for four years since its closure in 2017 and locals have been waiting for it to re-open ever since.

Richard Whittemore’s family business, Elite Garages, purchased the empty site for £650,000 in an online auction last year, and has partnered with Morrisons to open a Morrisons Daily franchise site. The Shaftesbury store will become the largest Morrisons Daily to date.

Dorset Echo: The Shaftesbury store on Bell Street has been vacant for four years. Picture: Google maps/Elite GaragesThe Shaftesbury store on Bell Street has been vacant for four years. Picture: Google maps/Elite Garages

A spokesman said: "On Thursday, January 13, there will be an official ribbon cutting at 10am to celebrate the new store. The ribbon will be cut by new colleagues Alison Burr and Vanessa Wood, who both previously worked in the store years ago! Alison worked in the store when it very first opened as a Gateway in 1986, working there for over 10 years. Vanessa worked at the site for over 20 years and closed the doors for the last time in 2017. Both colleagues are very excited to be coming home as the store re-opens as a Morrisons Daily.

"Vanessa and Alison will also be joined by 3 other returning colleagues! Jean Pennell, who will be joining the bakery team, previously worked at the site for over 5 years when it was a Co-Op and Budgens store. Becky Wareham also previously spent over 4 years at the site and is excited to be returning. Michael Hawkins, a much-loved local resident, will also be returning to the store and looks forward to greeting all the new and returning customers!"

Customers visiting the store between January 13 to 26 will be able to vote on which local good cause they would like to be the recipient of £1,000 from the new Morrisons Daily Store

The £1,000 will be awarded to the good cause with the most votes at the supermarket’s ‘Welcome Day’ event on Thursday, January 27.

The Welcome Day event on January 27 will provide an opportunity for customers and residents to learn more about the store and its suppliers and will include some exciting prizes and goodies on offer throughout the day.