A NEW £820,000 convenience store is set to open its doors on the site of a former Wilpshire pub.

The Co-op is set to open a food store on Thursday in the building which once housed The Bulls Head in Whalley New Road.

The new store, which is located on the border with Blackburn, will create 15 jobs and has been backed by politicians and business leaders.

The site is located less than a third of a mile down the road from another Co-op store. But when plans were announced for the new food outlet last year bosses said there were no plans to close the existing store.

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Neil Seedall, Co-op store manager said: “The Co-op is committed to transforming and growing its convenience business and we are delighted to be making such a significant investment in Wilpshire – the new store looks great and it really is an exciting time for the whole team.”

The new store will feature an in-store bakery, hot food and self-service tills.

A carpark next to the store has provision for 28 customer vehicles. The carpark, which used to be a popular site for rail commuters using Wilpshire and Ramsgreave Station, will have a further eight spaces designated for the use of the wider community.

The news of the convenience store opening has been welcomed by politicians and business leaders.

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “We are always pleased when big companies invest in the borough. The Bulls Head had seemed to have run its course as a pub and it has been closed for a number of years.

"It is good news that the building is going to be re-opened and will serve the people of the area.”

Cllr Sylvia Liddle, who represents the Roe Lee ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I certainly welcome the additional jobs. I think the new store will be a welcome addition for the community, particularly those people in Ramsgreave at the new development.

“As councillors we get a lot of complaints about parking around the railway station. Anything that can help alleviate that has got to be a good thing. So I welcome that part of the development as well.”

Community groups, including Mellor Saint Mary C of E Primary School, are also set to get a funding boost through the Co-op’s new membership scheme.