BOOTHS is preparing to open their Longton store following a refit which has tripled its size.

The new-look store, on the site of the former Mansion House, is a purpose-built 12,000 sq ft supermarket, which is 300 per cent bigger than the village's original Booths.

It will open its doors to the public on Thursday, April 27, employing 30 more staff. An extra 100 parking spaces have been created in the village to accommodate shoppers.

And a 48-seater tea shop, built close to the new store, will provide another attraction.

Booths has been in Longton since 1927, when it opened its first store in Chapel Lane. It became a self-service store in 1962 and was extended in 1963 and 1972.

In 1983, the store moved to Liverpool Road, where it stayed until the move to Mansion House.

Jonathan Roskell, store manager, said: "As with all new Booths stores, it was important to ensure that the new building blended well with its surroundings.

"Booths has been a part of the Longton community for such a long time that in no way could the store be obtrusive, but rather complement the village shopping area.

"The store has been built in keeping with the character of the building it replaced, using similar brick and stonework. The roof is the same colour as that of the original Mansion House."

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