By Chris Story

Last updated at 21:01, Friday, 30 July 2010

Fifty new jobs are to be created at a Cumbrian supermarket rising from the ashes of a devastating blaze that destroyed a chunk of the store.

Flashback: The store after the blaze

• Flashback (no audio): Fire crews tackle the devastating blaze

Morrisons has started advertising for people to fill the new posts at its Brunswick Road, Penrith, outlet which was gutted by fire last December.

Work on its rebuild is already underway with the repaired and revamped supermarket expected to be open within months.

And news of the employment boost that it will bring has been welcomed by Eden Council leader Gordon Nicolson.

A board in front of the current, temporary store, already a major Penrith employer, is advertising the new posts. The company confirmed the scale of its recruitment drive this week.

A spokesman said: “We are delighted to confirm that an even better store will be reopening later in the year and will be bringing 50 new jobs to the area.”

Mr Nicolson believes Morrisons’ relaunch will hand the town a wider economic boost.

He said yesterday: “This is good news for Penrith.

“We know from the planning application that the structuring of the store will be a little different to the one there before.

“The important thing is that it expands the shopping offer available to people in the town. Since the fire, buses have been going to Morrisons in Carlisle and Kendal and there is evidence that this has taken trade away from the town. Once the new store opens, we will get that back.

“The council is fully behind Morrisons in its efforts to rebuild the store and we are delighted that its is going to bring more jobs and a wider shopping experience.”

Eden planners granted permission for Morrisons’ rebuild in May. Its new look will include a new glazed entrance and the service area will be moved into a purpose-built zone to the right of the store, allowing the retail space to be extended by about 15 per cent.

About 40 per cent of the supermarket was damaged in the fire on December 3, which happened while the store was full of pre-Christmas shoppers.

At that time, the supermarket employed 320 staff in Penrith, many of whom were relocated to other Cumbrian outlets while the store was made safe.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the blaze, which saw flames leaping from the building and brought Penrith town centre to a standstill. People were evacuated from their homes and an emergency reception centre opened.

A new system of shutters will be fitted to the shop that would, in the event of a future fire, stop any blaze spreading.

First published at 14:15, Friday, 30 July 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk