THERE can't be many supermarkets built from Cotswold stone, but the style was de rigeur for the picture postcard village of Broadway.
For when Chase Commercial wanted to add the new retail outlet to its Russells development in the tourist trap, planners insisted it blend into the surroundings.
So in came lorry loads of the honey-coloured stone, which is the traditional building material in Jilly Cooper country, for Broadway's first, and probably only, supermarket.
After selling the site to Warner Retail last year and completing building works at the end of 2005, the developer has just handed over the keys to the 4,000 sq ft shop, which is now trading as Budgens.
Guy Warner, managing dire-ctor of Warner Retail and proprietor of the new Budgens store, said: "We're delighted with the new store which we hope provides a much-needed amenity to Broadway residents, who previously travelled as far as Evesham for their weekly groceries.
"In opening Budgens, we'll also be helping the local community in another way by sourcing many of our goods from local farmers and suppliers," Mr Warner said.
The new shop forms part of The Russells, Chase Commer-cial's £20m residential and commercial development which has been built on the site of the former Gordon Russell furniture factory, at the back of the High Street.
As well as Budgens, the commercial section of The Russells includes a restaurant, new parish council offices, an art gallery and offices for local charity SignPost. Chase will also shortly be completing a new tourist information office and a museum dedicated to the life of Gordon Russell - both to open within months.
The entire development, which also comprises more than 50 new homes, has been built entirely of Cotswold stone to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Particular attention was paid to the commercial section which is built around a public square and designed so as not to detract from the rest of the village.
Tim Haslam, managing director of Chase Commercial, said: "We are delighted with the Budgens which marks another milestone for our development and for Broadway."
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