Morrisons has become the the first big-name supermarket to open in Elland.
Previous attempts by major stores to open in the town failed to win planning approval but the Morrisons project won widespread support.
It was backed by the Elland Supermarket Support Group and the development has included the relocation of fire extinguisher firm Nu-Swift into a new purpose-built factory nearby which has safeguarded 70 jobs.
Morrisons itself has created 200 jobs and taken 70 workers’ from the dole queue. The new staff have been trained as specialists in a range of traditional craft skills such as butchery, fishmongery and bakery.
The store was opened on Monday by store general manager Mark Corps and Sarah Broscombe who is the regional community fundraiser with Save the Children which is Morrisons official charity partner.
She said Morrisons had raised £4.5 million since 2011 and was keen for the new staff to engage with the charity from the start.
“We are very proud of our partnership with Morrisons,” she said.
The store has a strong focus on fresh produce and stocks more than 450 types of fresh fruit and vegetables.
There is also a continental-style deli counter and the bakery department makes up to 48 varieties of bread daily.
Morrisons is the UK’s fourth largest food retailer with 489 stores.
The company says it uniquely sources and processes most of the fresh food that is sold through its own manufacturing facilities which gives it close control.
Every week, more than 11 million customers pass through its doors and more than 131,000 colleagues across the business are employed.
Morrisons says it offers competitive prices and hundreds of special offers to save families money on the weekly shop.
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