THE Crediton High Street supermarket which closed last April following the arrest of two Indian men found working there illegally, is set to re-open before Christmas.

The news that the former Costcutter at 135 High Street will become a Premier store has delighted local residents, who say they have missed having the convenience store open.

Julia Martin and Peter Knight and their sons, James and Chris Martin acquired the premises and have been working hard to prepare the business for opening in the very near future.

The family moved back to the area some months ago after finding just the premises they have been looking for, which will be part of the Premier group, which has more than 2,500 stores nationwide.

Each Premier store is independently owned by retailers, dedicated to working with their communities to serve their needs.

Julia said the store will offer a comprehensive range of convenience foods for everyday needs including bread and milk, fruit and vegetables, ready meals and frozen foods, confectionery and snacks, beers, wines and sprits and much more.

She added: "Where possible, we will source locally grown and locally produced foods.

"This will include free range eggs, local cream and milk from Dunn's Dairy and Ruth's Real Food products, to name but a few."

She explained there will be promotions and special offers, plus telephone top-up and Payzone.

She added that when trading begins, not all the store will be open but would be expanded in the near future.

Initially, she said, the business will employ four family members but as the business expands, more staff will be employed.

The Premier Crediton Supermarket will be opening from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 5pm on Sundays but these hours will extend at a later date.

The re-opening of the store has been greeted by the vice-chairman of Crediton Chamber of Commerce, Sandra O'Connor, who runs Olivia James Design gift shop in Crediton High Street, with her husband, Danny.

She said: "It is very good news that the store is to re-open.

"The Tesco Metro is being over-shopped and the town could do with two easy access supermarkets; ideally a return to one at each end.

"This will be very good for the High Street and will pull people into other High Street shops."

LATE NIGHT

SHOPPING

Asked how shops were faring this Christmas, Mrs O'Connor, said: "Crediton definitely seems to be buzzing.

"The last few weeks seem to have been very busy, with shoppers in the High Street."

Mrs O'Connor said that a number of High Street retailers would be taking part in late night open evenings until 9pm on Thursday, December 15 and Thursday, December 22.

She explained: "A recent two-evening shopping event by ourselves and Kathea, ladies boutique, was so successful that a number of retailers and ourselves have agreed to open late on these evenings for the convenience of shoppers.

"It is really a retailers initiative, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce, and we would like as many shops as possible to take part.

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