Deal done over Verwood Morrisons (From Salisbury Journal)
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Deal done over Verwood Morrisons
6:20am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Headlines By Miranda Robertson
THE deal to sell the leisure centre site in Verwood to Morrisons has finally been done.
Years after rumours of the selloff emerged, contracts have been exchanged which will allow the supermarket to expand.
East Dorset District Council is hoping work will start on the new store and petrol station after May 31 next year, and in the meantime work is going on to provide leisure facilities at other sites.
A new all-weather sports pitch is under construction at Potterne Park, a new community sports hall is being built at Emmanuel Middle School and work on a new state-of-the-art gym facility at Verwood Hub is about to start.
Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of East Dorset District Council, said: “I’m delighted with this latest development which means that residents of Verwood will not only be getting a muchimproved 21st-century retail offering but will also be able to enjoy enhanced leisure facilities.
“This means a major investment for the town which we are confident will encourage people to take part in sport, fitness activities and healthy living.”
Alistair Smith, property asset manager for Morrisons, said: “The developments are a win-win for Verwood. Local people will get new state-of-the-art leisure facilities as well as a fantastic new Morrisons with a petrol station.
“The new store will allow us to introduce our new Fresh Format.
This is Morrisons as you have never seen it before – an exciting concept presenting Morrisons’ wide range of fresh ingredients displayed and presented in exciting new ways.
“Where we have introduced this concept, customers’ reactions have been hugely positive and we believe it will be a real boost to Verwood.”
The new store is likely to open in mid-2014.
