A construction firm has beaten the snow to open a new Sainsbury's store in time for Christmas.

Kier Scotland made "a magnificent effort" to achieve the opening of a new Sainsbury's store in Livingston, according to Sainsbury's Head of Delivery Richard Rust.

In just five days a team of ten labourers removed over 7,000cu m of snow - with a little help from three excavators, two tippers, a six ton dumper and a Bobcat.

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Working through some of the worst weather conditions in 30 years, the team, led by Kier Scotland senior project manager, Mark Davidson, managed to convert and combine the former Homebase and Argos stores in Livingston to create a new Sainsbury's store with 60,000sq ft of sales space.

Despite the severe weather conditions the planned 13-week fit-out period was executed in less than nine weeks, resulting in the store opening in time for Christmas trading.

Mr Rust added: "You guys have done a really super, super job. Well done."

This store is the fourth delivered by Kier Scotland for Sainsbury's in the last few years, but the team collectively agreed that the exceptional snowfall made it the toughest to date. Following the successful completion at Livingston, the team is now preparing to start work on the new Sainsbury's Store in Kelso.

(GK)