Waitrose has revealed that its new multi-million pound food shop will be opening in Holsworthy on Thursday, June 4.

Having acquired the freehold of the former Somerfield store in Station Road in January, the retailer has promised to spend millions revitalizing the shop and investing in training new staff.

Waitrose will be handed the keys to the store on May 21 when it will commence a two week makeover of the store and train its new employees, including all former Somerfield staff. The new team will include trained specialists for the meat, fish, cheese and delicatessen counters.

They will all become partners in the John Lewis Partnership, entitling them to have a say in how the business is run and from next year an annual share in its profits. Last month, existing partners were told they would receive 13 per cent of their annual salary, the equivalent of just under seven weeks wages, in their March pay-packet.

Waitrose Holsworthy Manager, Nick Harris, commented: "With the economic climate as it is, it's great to be able to invest in a town such as Holsworthy, which is a fantastic town with a real passion for food and has a great community spirit.

"It's a very exciting time for us with just over two months to go, as we're starting to see our plans for the store unfold. I'd like to thank everyone in Holsworthy, in advance, for their patience and understanding throughout the refurbishment."

Holsworthy will take the number of Waitrose stores in the UK to 208, and will be the supermarket's 3rd in Devon.