A NEW food store on the site of the former Greenwood Arms pub in Horwich will open tomorrow.

The Co-op has ploughed £550,000 into the Chorley New Road shop which has created 15 new full time jobs and several part time vacancies.

Morrisons were originally going to open on the site but pulled out after the chain experienced financial problems.

Greenhalgh's and Subway are also based in the premises, as well as a Barnardo's charity shop.

Work on 13 three and four bedroom homes at the 7,000 square foot site is also underway.

The new Co-op shop will be officially opened by pupils from Chorley New Road Primary School which has received a cheque for £200 from the firm to say thank you.

It will be open from 6am to 11pm, and as well as the usual food and other essentials, will also feature an in-store bakery, a cash machine, hot food, a Costa coffee dispenser, lottery tickets and car parking.

The shop will also have a 'community pioneer', who will work to engage with the community with charity fundraising for initiatives including the Co-op's partnership with the British Red Cross.

Suzanne Ashurst, manager of the store, said: “We are delighted to have made such a significant investment in Horwich and to be launching The Co-op’s latest food store — the store looks fantastic and, it really is an exciting time for the whole team.

"The Co-op is investing to transform and grow its convenience business, enhancing the in-store experience while lowering the price of everyday essentials.

"We are confident that the new store will be a real asset to the community, enabling shoppers to pick up delicious food conveniently and, as a community retailer and a co-operative, it will play its part in local life too.”

The former pub had been derelict since 2011 and was targeted in suspected arson attacks the following year.

The firm said the site had been suggested by customers on its “Suggest a Site” website, where the retailer’s members can suggest new buildings or locations to move into.