A NEW supermarket will open at Picket Twenty tomorrow (January 20), creating 15 news jobs for the local economy. 

Co-op, on Picket Twenty Way, will open its doors at 7am, to the delight of residents who have been waiting for its opening for some months. 

The store said it will create 15 new job roles and will be using 100 per cent renewable energy to power its store. 

It has also partnered with Pilgrims Cross Primary School, which has been working hard to ensure local children have access to free lunches and continued support during the holidays.

The 2,422sqft store will also have a range of essential services including local products, Amazon lockers, and an in-store bakery. It is also planning to tie up with Hermes parcel services soon.

As part of the group’s commitment to reduce carbon footprint, the store has been fitted with LED lightings, energy-efficient refrigeration technology, and a building management system that switches ovens, fridges and lighting on and off in an automated remote way.

Chris Gawn, store manager at the branch based in Eclipse House, said: "There has been a lot of build up to this opening and we can't wait to start welcoming new customers to the store over the next few weeks.

"As soon as we started planning the opening, we got in touch with Pilgrims Cross Primary School and, at the time, it was looking for donations to pay for some children to continue school throughout the summer. It was incredibly special to be able to help with this.

"More recently we heard that the school has been supporting a number of its families during lockdown three with lunch deliveries. So we will be donating hundreds of bags for life as well as some essential food. With everything going on at the moment, this support from the school will be unbelievably important to lots of people in the local area. Thank you."

The store also has a collection point where customers can make regular donations to Andover Food Bank.

Its regular opening hours will be 7am to 10pm everyday with free car parking, takeaway food and drinks, and a range of Local Flavours products.

As part of the regional, independent co-operative's commitment to support local food and drink producers, Local Flavours products at the new store will include Claytons Eggs from Romsey, Hill Farm Juice from Swanmore, New Forest Spring Water and Summerdown chocolate mints from Basingstoke.