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Fire-hit Morrisons store Folkestone started life as a Safeway

When fire ripped through a supermarket in Folkestone, it brought to an end - for now at least - a prominent building in the town.

The huge blaze destroyed the Morrisons store in Cheriton Road earlier this month.

This photo shows the distinctive building when it opened as a Safeway superstore in the late 1980s.

Safeway building in Folkestone in 1989 - it later became Morrisons after Safeway was part of a takeover deal 14 years ago
Safeway building in Folkestone in 1989 - it later became Morrisons after Safeway was part of a takeover deal 14 years ago

A planning bid first went in for the land to become an International Stores in the early 1970s.

It was then taken over by Mainstop and later the Presto group, until the building was destroyed by fire.

The Morrisons supermarket now the fire has been extinguished. Picture: Kent Fire and Rescue
The Morrisons supermarket now the fire has been extinguished. Picture: Kent Fire and Rescue

Safeway built the most recent store in 1989.

Morrisons acquired Safeway in a £3 billion deal more than 14 years ago.

The aftermath of the Morrisons fire
The aftermath of the Morrisons fire

Most of its 479 shops were rebranded as a consequence.

Morrisons is planning to rebuild a temporary store on the site of the building before Christmas.

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