The new shops are situated on Falconer Avenue, close to its junction with Grantown Road and beside the dental practice. It is expected the additional 5,500 sq ft of retail space will support up to 20 new jobs in the local community.

The developer’s agent, Springfield Real Estate Management Ltd, has already signed up the Co-op for a 3,500 sq ft convenience store. The two remaining units of approximately 1,000 sq ft will be marketed shortly. Completion date for the development will be October this year to facilitate Christmas trading.

Co-op is making a six-figure investment into the new store, which is expected to be open and trading by the end of the year.

This news comes as the second phase of Springfield Properties’ 100 home Knockomie Braes development, just off Mannachie Road in Forres, reaches the halfway mark. The development is part of a growing community with access to the countryside as well as within easy to reach to the town’s facilities. The range of two bed apartments, and three and four-bedroom family homes will connect to the new commercial units once the development is complete.

Phase two of the development is currently in the planning stages.

Alan Esson, managing director of Springfield Real Estate Management, said: “The Forres housing development is providing much-needed family homes in the area, and our client, as responsible developers, recognised the need to provide certain facilities to help the community develop.

“The three commercial units will provide new families with the facilities they need to create a sense of cohesion with the surrounding area and will also benefit the local economy.

“Demand is already high for quality commercial units in the north of Scotland and thanks to the growing number of families planning to move to Forres, the remaining two units are generating a considerable amount of interest.”

Ian Mason, regional acquisition manager for Co-op, added: “The Co-op is moving forward with a clear purpose and momentum, and our ambition is to ensure the store is a local hub for people living in the area. The new store will offer a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy foods, meal ideas, ready-to-go hot food, award-winning wines and essentials along with an in-store bakery.”