A NEW ‘bulk-buy’ supermarket has opened its doors, creating 30 jobs for residents in Canvey.

Shoppers at The Food Warehouse can now benefit from the value of a wholesale store without paying the costs of a membership.

More than three quarters of a million pounds has been spent on bringing the new store to the retail park on Roscommon Way.

The store offers customers the chance to bulk buy fresh, frozen and food deals with more than 3,000 product lines.

Ray Howard MBE, freeman of the borough, opened the store on Tuesday.

Echo: Ray Howard opened the store on Tuesday Ray Howard opened the store on Tuesday

He has welcomed the new jobs that have been created in the store.

He said: “It was good to go there on Tuesday.

“I was very impressed that Canvey was the 142nd store in the country and what did please me was there was 30 staff and most were Canvey Islanders.

“What we want in Canvey is jobs so people don’t have to go off the island.

“I was very pleased to cut the ribbon.

“I’m delighted - another improvement for Canvey.”

Residents have also welcomed the opening of the new store.

Colin Letchford, 73, from Canvey said: “I’m pleased at the increase in businesses in Canvey because it gives money to the council.”

Linda Norton, from Canvey, said: “I used to go to Lakeside to go to the wholesalers so I’m happy there’s one on our doorstep.

“I’m happy that it’s been put there.”

Kristian Barrett, operations director for The Food Warehouse, said: “We’re delighted to have opened our new store in Canvey Island. The Food Warehouse is an innovative store format, responding to the changing needs of shoppers by offering amazing bulk-buy deals and homeware offers alongside a fantastic range of frozen, fresh and chilled foods.”

The Canvey Island store manager, Kinga Decsi, said: “Our opening day has been a great success and the whole team has really enjoyed meeting people from our local community.”