Sainsbury's in Welshpool – When Eastenders' Barrie visited

So what better opportunity than to look at some of the pictures the County Times has taken over the years of the store in its pomp – first as Kwik Save then as Sainsbury's?

Among the pictures from the archive are these shots of Eastenders and Extras star Shaun Williamson – perhaps best known for his role as ill-fated Barrie in the London-based soap opera – cutting the ribbon on the shop's refit.

Alas, our archives don't tell us what year the photographs of Shaun's visit were taken.

The building was originally a branch of Kwik Save and built at the top of Stanley Street during the 1970s.

Many Welshpool residents will remember the entire area near where the supermarket was built was left submerged in the great flood of 1968.

Others also claim the supermarket was actually built in the wrong place with the original plans including a junction at the end of Severn Stars Lane to link with Jehu Road.

Kwik Save operated a branch from the site until it went into administration in 2007 and sold to Sainsbury's – saving 10 jobs and creating a further 40.

The late Welshpool county councillor Ann Holloway said her constituents were "very, very happy" with the news.

The opening of the supermarket was celebrated in the town at the time when the nearest Sainsbury's were located in Shrewsbury and Oswestry.

The question now is what the future holds for the 7,400 square foot store in one of the prime town centre locations in Welshpool.