Employment in Holsworthy will be boosted later this year when the local Somerfield supermarket will be taken over by the quality grocery retailer Waitrose.
Somerfield supermarket in Holsworthy is one of 13 Somerfield stores to have been acquired by Waitrose from the Co-operative group.
Last year, the Holsworthy store, along with all Somerfield stores, was sold to the Co-operative Group at a price of £1.57 million.
Waitrose is planning to create a number of jobs when it relaunches the 12,910sq ft Somerfield store in Station Yard by mid June this year.
The staff were told last Thursday and welcomed the news that they will be offered the opportunity to join Waitrose as a partner within the John Lewis Partnership, which means they become co-owners of the business and receive an annual share in profits.
Over 1,000 employees at the 13 Somerfield stores will join Waitrose with a further 500 new jobs created at these branches nationwide.
Waitrose Managing Director, Mark Price, commented: "We're delighted to be coming to Holsworthy as part of the biggest period of growth in the history of Waitrose. I've been overwhelmed by the number of letters I've received asking for a Waitrose here, demonstrating there is a strong demand for quality food in the area.
"We are delighted to be creating a number of new jobs in the town and look forward to welcoming those from Somerfield to share in the unique benefits of the John Lewis Partnership."
The Mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr David Smith said: "I feel that if one of the country's leading retailers choses to invest in Holsworthy, this can only mean that the economic outlook is not nearly as gloomy as some of us feel."
He added: "If they as a company have decided to come to Holsworthy then it can only mean that they see our economy as quite robust. They wouldn't come somewhere where they felt they wouldn't get customers."
Some residents had expressed concerns to the Mayor about Waitrose's prices: "There is a perception that they might be expensive but looking at their website, they do have offers."
Beccy Johns, Chairman of the Holsworthy Chamber of Trade, said she believed the Waitrose takeover would be "a positive thing for Holsworthy."
Mrs Johns hoped having Waitrose in Holsworthy could "potentially draw people into the area who are currently going to Okehampton and hopefully mean they look around the town while they're here."
The possibility of new jobs at the store was also "excellent news," said Mrs Johns, "especially at the moment."