Hednesford's giant new Tesco store ready to open
The final countdown is on for the launch of the new Tesco store at Hednesford, the cornerstone of the town's £50 million revamp.
With less than 48 hours to go, the shelves are stacked, the aisles swept and everything is ready for the doors to open at 8am on Monday.
Yesterday and today, money-off vouchers to spend at the store were dropping through the doors of more than 48,000 households across Cannock and Hednesford. Store manager Richard Betts, who heads a 250-strong staff, including 100 previously long-term unemployed local people, said today: "People have waited a long time for this and I don't think they will be disappointed."
The 35-year-old former Friary pupil from Aldridge, who was store manager at Cannock, says the new branch has a lot to offer – including an impressive view.
"It's in a great position, sitting on a height. With the glass frontage, the light really fills the store.
"It's bigger than a lot of other Tesco stores around and offers lines that they don't have so we're hopeful of doing well."
The 55,000sq ft store, with 21 tills, is around two-thirds bigger than the Cannock branch and includes a clothing section and cafe. An escalator sweeps customers up to the shopping floor above the 600-space car park. Bakery manager Jody Hyden will be churning out more than 200 loaves a day as well as rolls, cakes and other pastries.
Many staff have transferred from branches in Cannock, Brownhills and Lichfield. The store, at the Victoria Shopping Centre, in Victoria Street, is part of the Hednesford Gateway redevelopment, designed to transform the mining town.
