NEW jobs will be created in Mid Devon when a rural suppliers moves to a new bigger store.

Mole Avon Trading has announced that it has purchased the land adjacent to Tesco on Exeter Road in Crediton and is now finalising plans to construct a large retail outlet.

The firm currently trades from Mill Street in the Mid Devon town but decided to move to a bigger store to help cope with demand.

The store, which has forged an impressive reputation over the years, will invest millions of pounds into the new development, will see employees at its current store move to the new outlet, with more jobs also being created.

John Lee, chairman of the board of directors, said: “This will be our biggest investment in the business to-date.

"We are keen to ensure that the move works for both us and the town.

"We will now progress at the earliest opportunity the appointment of contractors to undertake the work of building the access roads and new store.”

Mole Avon bought the land of Tesco Stores Limited and Nymet Land Limited, and work will begin on the development of the new store soon.

It brings an end to the firm's stay at Mill Street, where it has been based since the early 1970s.

Mike Haines, managing director of Mole Avon, said: ‘As a company owned by people from the local community, it is fantastic news that we have been able to remain in the town in which it was founded exactly 50 years ago.

"We have invested in our Okehampton and Axminster sites over the past three decades and it is great that we have managed to secure a site at Wellparks which will provide a solid platform for future growth.

"This development will safeguard existing jobs and create a number of new local employment opportunities.

"For the people of Crediton and the surrounding rural population, we will finally be able to increase the breadth and depth of our product offer to reflect the lessons learned from our larger stores in Okehampton and Axminster as well as looking into adding additional services and support for our core customer categories.’

The move will be the first time a retail outlet has opened at Wellparks since 2009, and speaking of the new site, Mr Haines added: "We intend to continue to welcome our existing customers but we also hope to attract a wider customer base, making it a country store not just for farmers but for everyone.

"The location of the store adjacent to the Tesco store couldn't be better and I think it is good for Crediton that we have been able to secure the future of Mole Avon in the town.

"We know many people come to Crediton just to shop at our store and we hope they and more people will continue to shop with Mole Avon."

Cllr Frank Letch, the Mayor of Crediton, said: “The development of the land at Wellparks will utilise land that has lain fallow for too long.

"I commend Mole Avon for bringing to Crediton a store that will offer further employment to the town and attract people into the town from a wide area.”