The new 1700 square metre New World Lincoln is scheduled to open
in early October, fulfilling a three-year dream for local couple
Kyle and Helen Burnett.
Currently the owner/operators of the Lincoln Four Square, where
turnover has risen 78 per cent since they took over in 2006, the
Burnetts are counting the days till they move to their new premises
in Gerald St.
"When we first came here we realised that a New World would be
perfect for the Lincoln area," Helen says. "There has only been so
much we could do with the Four Square store because the building is
about 38 years old and is past its use-by date in terms of a modern
grocery operation."
Kyle says their vision has been shared by local residents who
have frequently asked if a large supermarket was on the
horizon.
"The new facility will offer the full range of services that New
World provides, with a vastly superior range of products at much
better prices for our shoppers."
Foodstuffs South Island gained resource consent last year and
the supermarket has taken just eight months to build.
Kyle: "We've made a smaller operation work here and the
community have given us their support. Now we've been able to build
them a modern supermarket. It's been custom built to deliver
groceries to people within the large shop format. We'll be using
local suppliers wherever possible for items such as fruit and
vegetables and specialist products such as cheese."
Both Kyle, a former Lincoln High School student and Lincoln
University graduate, and Helen have a strong commitment to the
area. They settled in Lincoln after a spell in Auckland where Kyle
worked as a sales rep and in store management in the food
sector.
They are generous supporters of the town's school and
kindergarten (which their three daughters attend) plus a wide range
of local sport clubs and charities.