Morrisons’ plan revealed to open a new convenience store in Marlborough

Morrisons, who are the UK’s fourth biggest supermarket chain, is advertising for staff for a new convenience store it plans to open in Marlborough.

The company reported in March that it is seeking to create as many as 2,000 jobs this year by accelerating an expansion into the lucrative convenience store sector.

The chain has already struck a deal to buy 49 former Blockbuster DVD and games rental stores and has been expected to announce that it will double its target for convenience store openings this year, from 50 to around 100.

Morrisons has been slow to move into the faster growth convenience store sector and has so far unveiled only 12 smaller format outlets.

It had been eyeing a further 50 openings this year in an effort to close the gap on rivals Sainsbury’s and Tesco but the acquisition of the Blockbuster stores will result in a boost for its profits.

Each convenience store is expected to generate 20 jobs.

Marlborough town council has yet to receive notification of any planning application for a new convenience store in the town, where at least one clothing store is known to have been quietly put up for sale.

“I will make inquiries about this and come back to you,” a Morrisons’ spokeswoman told Marlborough News Online.

In an advert for a Team Leader for a Marlborough convenience store – closing date Friday – Morrisons asked:

Have you got what it takes to become part of our Morrisons convenience team?”

And it added: “We are currently recruiting for Team Leader’s to work in our M-Local Store based at Marlborough, as part of our exciting growth plan within the convenience market.

“Over the past 18 months we have developed the M-Local concept and have now opened 14 convenience stores.  Opportunities don’t come much better than this.

“This is your chance to become part of a fantastic team where we pride ourselves on the way we treat our customers as well as the way we treat our people.  You’ll be leading a small and entrepreneurial team.  We are looking for experienced supervisors/managers who will be the ambassadors of our convenience offer in the local community.

“We will have the freshest ideas, the freshest products, a fresh new team and lots of new customers coming together in impressive new surroundings to create something special.

“Providing leadership, direction and ensuring standards remain high, you’ll be an excellent coach with a management style that motivates and brings out the best in those around you.  

“We believe in recruiting people who can really make a difference and you could play an essential part in our ongoing success. Our talented colleagues need the direction of a special kind of manager, an inspirational leader with a focus on delivery, but most of all – a passion for great shop keeping.”

Morrisons is also advertising for an assistant manager for a Marlborough store plus sales staff.