A NEW supermarket opens its doors for the first time this week and will bring with it 30 new jobs for the area.

The new Lidl supermarket in Kingshill, Dursley, represents a seven-figure investment in the town and has created new jobs from manager level to part time shop floor assistants.

The low-cost supermarket chain has taken over the building formally owned by Somerfield in Kingshill Parade after the company was bought out by the Co-opoerative Group.

Due to monopoly regulations Co-op was obliged to sell off some of the Somerfield stores, although the Co-op is due to take-over the Somerfield in Parsonage Street.

Lidl has substantially modified the Kingshill shop and mayor of Dursley Jane Ball officially opens the new store on Thursday, November 19.

"I think it is really good news the Lidl store has opened," Cllr Ball told the Gazette. "I think it gives a good balance in the town, what with Sainsbury’s opening soon.

"I think people are looking forward to it opening, because it is something a bit different and any jobs that can be created at the moment is a good thing."

Simon Wilson, a spokesman for Lidl, said: "Our customers trust us to offer them high quality products at the lowest prices.

"The new Dursley store not only offers a value for money shopping experience to local residents but has also created 30 new jobs, which is positive news in the current economic climate."

The jobs include store manager, several deputy and assistant managers and shop assistants.

Lidl staff handed out goodie-bags of products around Dursley Town Centre on Saturday ahead of the launch and gave around 1,000 to local companies.

Lidl, a German-based company, recently won a Which? award for Best Value for Money Retailer and since moving into the UK market in 1994 have established 500 stores across the country.