A MORRISONS store with familiar faces, local products and a charity giveaway is set to open its doors this week.

On Thursday, January 13, Morrisons Daily will be marking its launch with a special ribbon cutting event at 10am.

The Shaftesbury premises has been unused since 2017, with previous stints as a Co-operative store, a Budgens and a Somerfield.

Last year Richard Whittemore, of Elite Garages, with his family, secured the site on Bell Street during an upbeat auction for more than £650,000, with a vision of bringing a convenience store to the area.

Read more: Meet the family that bought closed shop for £656k

The family then partnered with supermarket chain Morrisons to create what they say will be "the largest 'Morrisons Daily' to date".

The opening ceremony ribbon will be cut by colleagues Alison Burr and Vanessa Wood, who both previously worked in the store years ago, under different businesses and management.

Alison worked in the store, when it very first opened as a Gateway in 1986, for more than 10 years.

Vanessa worked at the site for more than 20 years and closed the doors for the last time in 2017.

Residents Becky Wareham, Jean Pennell and Michael Hawkins are also returning to the site, after working there previously.

Salisbury Journal:

Alongside Morrisons products, a range of local and specialist products will be on offer to shoppers, including Olives et al, pictured, Mounters13 Shaftesbury Gin, Lilley’s Cider, Moores Biscuits, Dorset Tea, Dorset Cereals, Black Cow Vodka, The Real Cure Meats, Jeroboams Wine and more.

The new store is also giving £1,000 to a Shaftesbury charity, club or local good cause, within five miles of the town.

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date, as well as signing up for one of our newsletters.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.