Motorists can fill up with fuel before doing their shopping after a supermarket chain opened a store at a petrol station.
The facility at Wetley Rocks had been shut for eight days while the forecourt shop was transformed from a Londis to a ‘Morrisons Daily’ store.
The new shop, on the A520 Cheadle Road, now features a much wider range of products including a bakery, hot food and large fresh and chilled selection.
Wayne Harrand, head of retail for MPK Garages, said: “Morrisons operates across the UK and gives us more range and capacity. We are a community-led business and we’ve got a big community around us – we want to make sure they are serviced with everything the need.
“Previously we had around 800 to 900 products, now it’s more like 2,000. Customers will be able to do a full daily shop here.”
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Staff were joined for the new store’s official opening by Leek’s Town Crier Bill Lomas.
The conversion has increased jobs at the store from seven to 12, plus manager and assistant manager roles.
Manager Liz Bettany, who previously worked at the Londis store, said: “The new store is fabulous, I love it. The range is just incredible and the freshly-baked stuff is going to go down so well.
“People in the village will be able to get everything they need from us now, and I hope we will get more local people in.”
The post office service remains available within the store, and the garage – which still sells Texaco fuel – will continue to offer a 24-hour service, with a night-hatch from 11pm until 4am as there was previously.
Customers were impressed with the new-look store. Rob Norman, aged 28, landlord of the neighbouring Powys Arms pub, said: “It’s really exciting, with the range they have got and the bakery it’s so much better than it was before. It will be really good for the village. It’s been crying out for something like this, so it’s great.”
Clare Tether, aged 41, who also lives nearby on Cheadle Road, said: “I love the new shop. It’s so much better and it will be great for the community.
“This will be more economical for people. We us the shop a lot and really missed it when it was closed.”
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