Foodstuffs South Island Limited gained resource consent for the
project last year and the $10 million full service supermarket has
taken just eight months to build.
It realises a three-year dream for owner operators Kyle and
Helen Burnett, who bought the Four Square Lincoln store in 2006.
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," Kyle says.
The 1700 square metre facility has a delicatessen, butchery,
bakery, fresh fish, an organics range, gluten-free section, an
extensive range of wines and gourmet beers, plus Lotto. As
well as freshly cooked pizza the supermarket will "double-bake"
each day, ensuring shoppers have a range of specialty fresh breads
to choose from.
The Burnetts' workforce is expanding from the current 22 staff
at Four Square (all of whom have accepted jobs at the new
supermarket) to 65.
"We have been delighted to be able to recruit from our local
community, especially in the current economic climate," Helen says.
"We focused on local applications with the result that 80 per cent
of the workforce are locals. We were looking for motivated,
enthusiastic people and we will teach skills as necessary.
"Kyle and I also see great value in ensuring our staff receive
good training, while some of our longer serving people have taken
the opportunity to move up through the ranks and will run their own
departments. We've got some terrific people."
The couple say the new facility will not only be a boon for
Lincoln residents - it is bound to attract people from other nearby
towns, including Prebbleton, Little River, Leeston, Southbridge,
Doyleston and Selwyn Huts, saving them lengthy car trips into
Christchurch.
Sustainability has been a key factor in both construction and
the day-to-day running of the supermarket with wind turbines to
manufacture some of the power, a newly developed non-PVC flooring
system and CO2 refrigeration. Helen believes Lincoln is a very
environmentally conscious community, and the measures that have
been incorporated will resonate with shoppers.
The store is the first Foodstuffs supermarket in New Zealand to
have an electronic tracking system installed from the outset that
keeps track of every item from delivery through to sale, alerting
management early to the need for re-ordering, and ensuring
continual availability of stock for customers.
Selwyn Mayor Kelvin Coe, who cut the ribbon cutting ceremony at
today's official opening, says New World Lincoln is a major boost
for the area and is providing much needed new employment
opportunities.
"It is a sign of the times that Lincoln is expanding and
developing with a lot of new housing subdivisions on the horizon. I
am sure residents will be delighted to have this new facility on
their doorstep."