A NEW convenience store will open its doors to the public tomorrow (Thursday) - bringing 20 new jobs to Wokingham.

The Morrisons M Local will open in Market Place, with the national chain vowing to recruit local workers.

Store manager Katrina Taylor said: "A lot of hard work has gone into the opening of the store but seeing the reaction of customers when they walk in will make it all worthwhile.

"We're really keen to make the store part of the local community, so hope our customers and other local businesses will make use of the community noticeboard inside to help promote local events." The supermarket believes it has spotted a gap in the market for a convenience store that offers more fresh food - as opposed to just tins and toiletries - to enable customers to cook a meal from scratch or buy a high quality ready meal.

It will also include a 'Food To Go' section, where customers can pick up fresh coffee, pastries, and bacon sandwiches. Morrisons has successfully applied for an alcohol licence, and will be able to sell drinks throughout its opening hours of 7am to 11pm. It will be open seven days a week.

Morrisons, which also runs a supermarket in Woosehill, is opening the new convenience store in the former Dorothy Perkins premises.

Wokingham Borough Council is currently in advanced negotiations with Sainsbury's to become the anchor foodstore on Elms Field. The 3,500sq metre premises is a key part of the town's regeneration, but Morrisons press officer James French said he believed there was space for both stores to thrive.

He said: "Ours is a convenience store and people will look for different products." Mark Walton, president of Wokingham's Chamber of Commerce, agreed both stores can thrive.

He said: "People who say there are too many supermarkets, Morrisons have done their homework and they think they can make money out of coming in." The store will be opened at 9am tomorrow (Thursday) by guests including Wokingham town mayor Cllr Martin Bishop.