Morrisons to open new supermarket at Dalton Park before Christmas - creating 150 jobs

The news comes after years of speculation after the building, part of an expansion of Dalton Park, was complete – but Morrisons remained silent on any plans to move into the supermarket site.

The company thanked people for their patience as they announced plans to finally open the store.

Initial information was that the store would create 90 jobs, but Morrisons has now confirmed there will be 150 roles.

A spokeswoman for Morrisons said: “Following the successful launch of our petrol station, we now plan to open the Morrisons Dalton Park store by the end of this year.

“Specialist teams are working to transform the unit into a new-look Morrisons store and recruitment for around 150 new colleagues will start shortly.

“We would like to thank the community for their continued patience and look forward to welcoming them to the store.”

The supermarket chain opened a petrol station and kiosk store near the entrance to the retail park in June, raising hopes the firm would open the full-size store on the site, which has sat empty for years.

Within months customers could be filling up on their way home from their Christmas shopping.

Jerry Hatch, Centre Manager at Dalton Park, said: “We are delighted to confirm that Morrisons will be opening a store at Dalton Park before Christmas this year.

“A lot of hard work has been carried out behind the scenes in recent months and the announcement today is testament to the efforts of several parties.

“The new Morrisons store will create significant job opportunities, which would be fantastic in normal times, so to be able to announce this during the current climate is very uplifting.

“We look forward to seeing this project being delivered and the benefits it will bring to our community.”

Plans for a petrol station and supermarket at the Murton retail park were given the go-ahead by Durham County Council planning chiefs in 2014, but by 2016 Morrisons had put the plans on hold.

A new cinema, restaurant and other units opened in 2016 with the expansion of the site.

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