SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons will open in Merstham as part of redevelopment plans for the town.
The supermarket chain will have a Morrisons M convenience store on the former Iron Horse pub site, which will also feature three other shops and ten flats.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's development chief Councillor Natalie Bramahall said: "The Morrisons M local store will give Merstham residents much easier access to essential groceries and fresh produce at affordable prices. We also welcome the employment opportunities it will provide.
"These things were very important to us in choosing who the new convenience store provider would be."
Morrisons has long been rumoured as the provider for a store in the town but until now both the council and the chain had refused to confirm the rumours.
Plans for the store are currently in the early stages but Morrisons bosses say the new store could create 20 jobs in the area and work could begin in January.
Stephen O'Connell, acquisition manager for Morrisons, said: "We're in the early stages of planning to bring a Morrisons M local to Merstham and look forward to creating 20 new jobs for local people. Fresh food will be at the heart of our offer and we will work hard to make our store a positive addition to the community."
The council says there was a "competitive bidding process" before it was agreed to let the store to Morrisons. The whole development is still subject to planning permission which will be discussed in July.
Discussions about who will lease the other three shops, and the four new units planned on the Triangle site are well advanced and further announcements are expected soon.
