Supermarket Morrisons is spending £1.5 million to turn its Caerphilly branch into an energy efficient store.
The money spent investment includes new energy saving fridges and lighting and will substantially reduce the store’s carbon footprint.
As part of the investment, the store will also undergo a major makeover with a focus on fresh food.
The energy improvements include a new refrigeration system which will reduce CO2 emissions by 16% and a lighting scheme that will see LED lights fitted across the store.
The new lighting will be brighter and reduce energy used for lighting by 55%, which is a 15% reduction in the total energy used by the store.
The transformation of the store which has already started, will take around 16 weeks to complete with the store remaining open throughout.
Store General Manager, Tyrone Hibbert, is asking customers to be patient while the changes take place.
He said: “The store’s going to be fantastic once it’s finished and I’m pleased that we’re doing our bit for the environment – we’re asking shoppers to bear with us if products aren’t in their usual place and if you can’t find something just ask.
“It’s important that the store is fit for the future and that includes being more green. It’s a great investment and once the work’s finished the store will feel much lighter and more airy, as well as being a lot more environmentally friendly.
“The interior of the store is going to look a lot different and better show-off the skills of our experts who will also take part in extra training as part of the investment.”
Meanwhile, the supermarket company is gearing up for the opening of its new store in Bargoed.
Work on a the 56,000 sq ft supermarket began in March last year and the new store is due to open by Christmas with a 400-space car park as part of the development.
Congratulations to sainsburys pontllanfraith on the opening of the downstairs it is now a first class store. They have utilised and re-fitted an existing building.
Jan- What on earth has that got to do with Caerphilly Morrisons?????
Unfortunately Morrisons will never be able to compete on an aesthetic side with the Tesco stores in Caerphilly.
Tesco Extra stores have floor to ceiling windows at the front of the store allowing in large amount of light. The high ceiling gives a more airy feel and the upstairs areas also add to the feeling of increase space.
It comes down to the old building Morrisons is located in.
Morrisons are streets ahead of Tesco`s on every possible front. Fresher fruit and veg, more, `friendly` and helpful staff, much better hot freshly cooked items, better bread and cakes selection, fresher bread at all times of the day, and better selections of fresh cooked meats etc.
One problem with Morrisons Caerphilly, you can shop for 20 minutes and queue for 30 minutes to get out. I have noticed this is more of a problem on the days that the checkout supervisors are specif staff members, obviously they need more training, I have also noticed that they try to appease queuing shoppers by calling additional phantom staff to the checkout tills, but, none ever appear.
Dean – Could you please tell me where in Caerphilly there is a Tesco Extra store with an upstairs?
Have to agree with Jeff about the fresher fruit and veg, and the bread in Morrisons and the queuing at the checkouts. I think this is why people don't shop there. In todays society where people are always rushing around, many shopping at lunch time, people do not have 20/30 minutes to waste at the checkout.
Morrisons meat is of superior quality to Tesco along with their fresh bakery products but as have been mentioned above the queuing time in Morrisons is abysmal.
Very rarely are there an adequate number of checkouts open and the self scan tills are so slow compared to their counterparts at Tesco or Asda. Due to the queuing times I rarely venture into Morrisons.
My time is precious to me and I don't want to waste it queuing just because the management of Morrisons haven't got the foresight to open more checkouts to prevent/control the queues.
I was thinking about Tesco Llantrisant, my apologies.
Debating the quality of food sold is almost pointless. It comes down to personal opinion and the majority is branded and the same no matter where you go. As for the meat…I'll stick to M&S.
Morrisons needs to change the layout. As you walk in the doors, the tills should be going up to where the current bakery area is. and where the tills are no you can have the cafe and the shopping areas. This will give a better people flow.
A tip for Dean and all the other supermarket shoppers, rediscover your local butcher. The meat I buy from independents is miles better than M & S and cheaper. You usually don't have to queue either!
Maybe so Richard…just a shame there are not many independent butchers left.
I have to agree M&S meat, their food, overall is of excellent quality. Customer service at M&S is also superior to that offered by any other supermarket.
Please recommend a local butcher, Richard. I have yet to find a nice one. I am open to trying new things.
I have to agree with Cllr Richard Williams about local butchers. I have used Bucklands in Bedwas and the meat and other produce was excellent.
Lou has the answer Dean! Buckland's are excellent. If you want a nice bit of rump steak I have bought from the van that trades from the Social Club car park on Thursday (sorry can't remember the name)but the steak is cracking. Sausages and bacon are good too and the frozen chicken breasts are very good for the price.
DEAN
I added this because no local newspaper has congratulated them on the renovation of an existing building and space.
These papers print the tall stories of cllr dix when he harped on that morrisons were coming to blackwood gate retail park when infact they had never applied to go the place.
Well done sainsburys!
Ssorry DEAN! it should say DENNIS.