A NATIONAL supermarket has opened its first store in Yate, which has been welcomed as positive news for the area.

Sainsbury's has opened its first store in the town - located in Dowsell Way, and it will form part of the new Ladden Garden Village neighbourhood and will be open from 7am to 11pm every day.

The store offers fresh bread and cakes baked daily in-store to fruit and veg, meat, fish and meal solutions, plus Costa Coffee machine and a click & collect service in the store, meaning residents can order online from Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing brands for collection while picking up their groceries.

Sainsbury's investment in Yate has also seen the retailer create new jobs for residents while the chain says it will support good causes in the community, for example by redistributing surplus food locally to those who need it most, for example via its Nourish the Nation Campaign and its food donation partnership with Neighbourly.

This new supermarket is the latest addition for the plans at the 100-hectare Ladden Garden Village development, which includes around 2,450 new houses, a care home, employment land, a community centre, and two primary schools, according to plans which were first approved eight years ago in July 2015.

Yate mayor Cheryl Kirby said: "'I am delighted that Sainsbury's in Ladden Garden Village has now opened.

"It shows that Yate is once again bucking the trend and attracting major new businesses to the town."

Councillor Ben Nutland, who represents Yate North at South Gloucestershire Council, said: "I would like to welcome Sainsbury’s to the town.

"It is always positive to see investment into the local community and area."

Chris Willmore, who represents the same ward at SGC, said: "Residents are delighted at long last to have the first of the facilities at Ladden Garden Village and are looking forward to other facilities, particularly the school and community building."

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury's property director, said: "We're passionate about delicious food and we want to make it easier for customers to access it wherever we can, so we're delighted to have opened our first Sainsbury's store in Yate.

"We hope our investment in the town, creating jobs and a convenient new place for people to shop locally, will benefit the community for years to come."

Matthew Thomas, Sainsbury's Yate Ladden Garden Village store manager, said: "It's been fantastic to welcome customers to our first Sainsbury's store in Yate over the last few days.

"My new team and I have worked hard to bring the very best of Sainsbury's convenience offer to the town and we're looking forward to becoming an integral part of Ladden Garden Village as it continues to flourish."

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes Bristol, who acquired the site in 2016, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sainsbury's to Ladden Garden Village.

"This new addition not only enhances the convenience for our residents but also contributes to creating a vibrant and inclusive community.”

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, added: “Ladden Garden Village continues to flourish and the launch of the new Sainsbury's store on-site is a key achievement in our continual commitment to craft a comprehensive and enriching living environment for our residents.”