Food store takes on a fresh identity

A FORMER Somerfield supermarket in north Essex has reopened under a new identity.

The store, in Dovercourt, was one of 133 outlets nationally which the Co-operative Group agreed to sell to satisfy the Office of Fair Trading following its acquisition of Somerfield last year.

The Dovercourt branch is among 11 being taken over by Haldanes, a new nationwide chain of mid-sized food stores being created by retail entrepreneur Arthur Harris who aims to have around 50 stores by 2014.

The store ceased trading as a Somerfield last Saturday and has now reopened following a hectic three-day refurbishment and re-branding. All 35 employees at the store have transferred to the new ownership.