THERE will be some familiar faces at a new Sainsbury’s store as the company prepares to open in Cowley after a 13-year break from the area.

A total of 135 jobs have been created by the new supermarket, which is expected to open the middle of next month in the unit that was occupied by B&Q in the Templars Retail Park.

Some members of staff at the 18,000 sq ft site used to work at the Cowley store in Barns Road, which closed in 2000.

Bakery assistant Cheryl Hewer from Cowley worked there for two years.

The 30-year-old mum-of-two, who worked on the checkout, said: “It is exciting to have a new store back in Cowley. It will be nice to see some of the old regulars.”

Since the closure Ms Hewer has worked for a number of other companies, including Homebase, and trained to be a pub manager at The Corner House in Cowley.

She is leaving her part-time job at the Royal British Legion in Littlemore to join Sainsbury’s again.

Ms Hewer said: “I enjoyed it when I first worked there. “It had a friendly atmosphere and was a nice place to work.

“I saw an opportunity and thought it would be nice to go back.”

Susan Bourton will be commercial manager at Cowley, having worked at the old store for 26 years.

The Wood Farm 54-year-old, who is moving from her role as commercial manager at the Westgate store, said: “I am quite excited about returning. There are a few customers that come into Westgate asking when is a store going to open in Cowley and now I can say it is.”

More than 400 people applied for the new roles and Sainsbury’s is still looking to fill 30 posts.

It recruits in phases, employing the skilled workers first to begin their training, leaving the customer service roles – which are quicker to learn – until last.

Manager Lewis Pancott, 34, said: “We have been really pleased with the uptake. A lot of the people we have been able to recruit are from Cowley. It is great to give local people the opportunity.

“The store is progressing well. We are really excited.”

Mr Pancott, who has family in Cowley but now lives in Swindon, added: “I think because we are a small store we will have the opportunity to get to know our customers a lot more than a larger one would.

“The general feeling is that it would be nice to have a Sainsbury’s in the John Allen centre.”

The store will be the first in the company to have sliding doors in the refrigerated section in a bid to save energy.

The opening date has yet to be confirmed.

Existing shops at the retail park include Matalan, TK Maxx, Asda Living, Brantano, and JD Sports.