SET to deliver a significant boost to the local economy while also challenging the dominance of other stores in the town, Sainsbury's new supermarket in Commercial Road means the renaissance and regeneration of Hawick is finally gathering pace.

And by pledging to bring new jobs and investment to the town, Sainsbury's should be congratulated on its commitment to Hawick. A commitment which is underlined by the firm's impressive track record over the last year, during which it has generated 5,000 new jobs at 11 new supermarkets and 20 new convenience stores across the UK. And all this in the face of what has been widely recognised as the harshest economic period in living memory. But far from resting on its laurels, the firm's recession-busting expansion plans are set to continue well into next year with a further 6,500 jobs set to be created, as well as a mind-boggling 28 new supermarkets and 55 new convenience stores.

And when building a new supermarket, the benefits regulary extend far beyond the store itself. With development programmes often including investment in local roads, pedestrian access to the site and support for community projects.

Locally-sourced products are also flying off the shelves at Sainsbury's up and down the country. And Hawick will be no different as the firm looks to identify local suppliers to work with. There's already more than 3,500 local firms supplying Sainsbury's at the moment, and the company is aiming to increase this number.

Let's not forget the spin-offs for local contractors too. Their knowledge of the area could be invaluable and lead to them being awarded some of the building work and, in the process, providing a further boost to the Hawick economy. An economy which has taken a battering over recent years, but one that has just been given a real injection of hope . . .