A NEW supermarket is opening in York next month and will employ 20 people.

Budgens will open below the Ramada Encore Hotel on the corner of Micklegate and George Hudson Street on Thursday, March 13.

The 4,740sq ft of leased space at what was the former Co-op will be the forerunner of what is expected to be many new Budgens stores in Yorkshire.

With more than 230 stores, mostly in the south-east and East Anglia, the company has been steadily moving northwards.

It will open from 8am to 10pm daily.

On offer will be fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and poultry, plus a wide range of groceries, chilled and frozen foods, toiletries and household items. Organic options will be available, plus chilled ready meals, own label products, beers, wines and spirits.

It will also have its own bakery.

Updated: 15:24 Tuesday, February 18, 2003