The owners of the former Co-op and Budgens supermarket building Elite Garages have signed a franchise arrangement with Morrisons, the national supermarket chain; the building has been empty since its closure in 2017.
Richard Whittemore’s family business purchased the store in 2021, and his daughter Kelsie, who represents the
third generation of the family business, is excited at the prospect of bringing a fresh convenience store back to Shaftesbury.
The new Morrisons store will form part of the large building; an Elite Garages workshop will also be on site.
Alongside their national supermarket chain, Morrisons also has a wholesale business which allows companies like
the Whittemore’s to run their own ‘Morrisons Daily’ franchise. The store will stock Morrisons products, alongside a range of local products.
Paul Foster, Wholesale Manager at Morrisons, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with Richard and the team to bring a Morrisons Daily to Shaftesbury. Customers will also be able to buy everyday essentials and food-to-go items from Morrisons wide range of own brand products. ”
Local employment opportunities
The Whittemore’s are running ‘Recruitment Open Days’ on Friday 5th November (10am-8pm) and Saturday 6th November (10am-6pm).
They will be discussing the vacancies available, answering any questions, chatting about the roles etc.
The business is hoping to recruit 30 new employees for the site, and the recruitment open days will be covering both the Morrisons Daily vacancies and the Elite Garages workshop vacancies.
