HELENSBURGH’S new Morrisons supermarket is on track to open by the end of the year - after more than 1,000 people applied for vacancies at the store.

The UK’s fourth largest supermarket chain has taken over the site of the former Waitrose on Cardross Road and various staff positions have already been filled.

Waitrose closed in May with the loss of 88 jobs but news that Morrisons was making more than 150 roles available - including team leaders, customer assistants, skilled butchers and fishmongers - was warmly welcomed by the community.

Morrisons Helensburgh store manager, Scot Byers, said: “We’ve had a tremendous response to our call for new colleagues with over 1,000 applications received.

READ MORE: Plans for garden centre space at Helensburgh's new Morrisons supermarket

“Interviews are now under way to find our team of dedicated key workers ready to serve the Helensburgh community.

“The new Morrisons store is on track to open by the end of the year with our team in place in the next few weeks.”

Last week, the Advertiser revealed that plans have been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council for a small garden centre in the car park, along with an ATM pod, as preparations take shape before a launch in around two months’ time.

An official opening date has yet to be confirmed.

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