A NEW service station and Spar store in Radcliffe has created nearly 30 new jobs.

And the development at the corner of the A58 and Watling Street is the second recent foray into the Bolton and Bury area by operators James Hall and Co. Ltd.

Last year the firm, which is involved with more than 600 Spar stores, opened up a similar forecourt venture in Market Street, Tottington, on the former Tottington Motor Company site there.

Bosses have gone with a familiar line-up for the fledgling Radcliffe Shell site, with butchers Graham Eyes and Clayton Park Bakery lining up alongside the Spar retail offering.

Fiona Drummond, the Preston-based company's stores director, said: "Our Radcliffe site is an exciting development and is the latest in our new generation of company owned service stations.

“The site is perfect as it is accessible for serving both the growing community in Radcliffe while also meeting the demands of passing trade on what is a busy route for motorists.

“It has also created a number of new jobs for local people in the Radcliffe area, and we wish our new team well, led by manager Olivia and assistant manager Michelle, as they welcome customers into store.”

Management says 27 posts have been created as a result of the opening, with additional recruitment still ongoing.

Arthur Wilson, who lives next door to the store, said: “The new store is very nice inside and is of course handy for me for petrol and food.

"It is a huge improvement on the derelict site it was.

“It is good for picking up your basics, but you could do a bigger shop too as the range is great. It has everything that you would need.”

Another customer, Barbara Brisbane, from Prestwich, added: “The butcher’s counter is absolutely brilliant. I’m very fussy when shopping, particularly for meat, but it is very impressive.

“We pass frequently and will definitely be visiting again for food and petrol.

"If the store can maintain the high standard it has set, it will have people queueing out of the door.”

The site originally housed the Jolly Carters pub, which closed in 2005, making way for the Dil Se Indian restaurant.

Demolition work on the main building had begun by September 2017.