Counting down to a new supermarket

Work on Hawera’s new Countdown supermarket project will begin within the next four weeks.

The new supermarket will be double the size of the current premises, UP developments chair Graeme Champion said in an emailed statement.

It is being built beside the current supermarket.

The old building will then be demolished and replaced with car parking.

The existing supermarket will remain open for business until the new one is finished.

Construction is expected to take approximately 14 months.

‘‘The whole area will be reoriented and redesigned with increased parking, improved traffic flows and pedestrian access,’’ Champion said.

Countdown’s General Manager Property, Adrian Walker, said the company was excited to be getting started on the new larger store.

‘‘Ha¯ wera is a vibrant town and we have a lot of great new features that we’re excited to unveil when it’s finished,’’ he said.

‘‘We’ll have a more expansive bakery and deli, a wine cellar area, self-checkouts as well as more health food options. We’ll also be employing more people to join our already strong Ha¯ wera team.’’

South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop said the development complements the work the council was undertaking in the town centre.