A new eco-friendly supermarket has opened for business in Westhoughton, Lancashire.
Over 100 shoppers queued in the cold yesterday to see former Lancashire cricketer, Mike Watkinson open the Sainsbury’s store, which is on the former site of the Westhoughton Cricket Club .
The supermarket store is the first in Europe to use a bio-mass boiler to generate energy and cut carbon emissions .
It has been welcomed by shoppers, with many saying the town needed a greater choice of shops, and has also helped boost employment in the area by creating over 150 new full and part-time jobs .
The store was officially opened by Mike Watkinson, who began his career at the Westhoughton club. The former all-rounder unveiled a commemorative plaque and signed two cricket bats for auction, which will help raise funds for the cricket club and a local charity chosen by Sainsbury’s.
He said: “The opening of the new Sainsbury’s gave me the chance to catch up with old friends and I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear about the store’s plans for working with the local community.”
