5:00pm Tuesday 31st August 2010
IT was back to the shop floor for a member of the family firm when the biggest Sainsbury’s store in Basingstoke reopened.
The store in Hatch Warren has just increased in size by 50 per cent after months of work.
Bosses say 100 more people now work at the 70,000 sq ft shop in Wallop Drive, which has been expanded to include a bureau de change, new clothing ranges, a pizza counter and enlarged electrical and homeware departments.
And cutting the ribbon on the first official day of business was Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover, the former chairman of J Sainsbury Plc.
Lord Sainsbury, who resides in the village of his title, described himself as the store’s “most regular customer” and said that he was thrilled with the new-look shop.
The veteran grocer and keen salesman said: “This has always been a good store but I am thrilled with how it looks now. It’s absolutely superb. In my opinion it’s the best place to shop in this area. I get all my shopping from here and do the weekly shop.
“The staff are fantastic and I enjoy visiting, particularly for occasions like this or during peak times like Easter and Christmas.”
Staff worked late into the night on Tuesday night preparing for the grand launch, which saw customers flock through the doors at 9am sharp on Wednesday morning.
First in were two sisters from South Ham – Rosalie Lane of Stag Hill, and Leticia Meade from Chivers Close. Rosalie received a bottle of champagne and both women were presented with a bunch of flowers.
Rosalie, who has been shopping at the store since it’s launch in 1988, said she was shocked to be the first customer.
She said: “I was really surprised when I was presented with the champagne. I’m practically teetotal but I’m sure I’ll get round to drinking it.
“I arrived this morning at about 20 to nine. I think the store looks great and I’ll certainly continue shopping here.”
Store manager Chris Locks said that the new store had taken a lot of hard work but that the results were fantastic.
He said: “We’re all really thrilled at how it now looks. One hundred new jobs have been created locally and we’ve really expanded.
“The reopening has been a great success and we were thrilled to have Lord Sainsbury join us on this special day.”
Besides the other changes to the shop, its café has been refurbished and its mother-and-baby and disabled parking has been moved for convenience.
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