Otley's Safeway supermarket has been bought by Waitrose.

And the food shop chain of the John Lewis Partnership, is promis-ing to create a 'state of the art' supermarket on the Westgate site.

The move, part of a strategic northwards expansion by Waitrose, has also safeguarded the jobs of 180 Safeway employees, who will be offered the chance to stay on with the new owners.

Well known in the South of England as a quality food store, Waitrose, has also bought 17 other Safeway outlets and one Morrisons store.

Uncertainty has been hanging over the store's future ever since Morrisons tabled its Safeway takeover bid early last year.

The Otley supermarket's position was complicated by the fact it was one of around 50 which Morrisons had been told it had to sell on, due to monopoly rules.

Town Mayor Nigel Francis said he was relieved the saga was over, but said he also had some concerns.

"Obviously I welcome the fact we're going to continue having a supermarket here," he said.

"Otley doesn't have a lot of employment in the town itself and this store has been one of the biggest employers, so I'm very pleased nobody's going to lose their job.

"I think Morrisons has got a very good reputation and certainly when I've been shopping at Safeway since Morrisons took over there's been a drop in prices, which has been welcomed by everybody.

"I certainly didn't agree with the Monopolies Commission's ruling on this, that we couldn't have a Morrisons store.

"Now we're getting a supermarket which is probably going to be as dear as Safeway.

"I think those people who currently travel to Morrisons in Yeadon or Guiseley for cheaper prices will keep doing that, which isn't what we want.

"But I do welcome the fact we've got a new supermarket coming, and if it gets involved in helping community projects that will be terrific."

Hailing the move into Otley, Waitrose Director of Selling and Marketing, Mark Price, said: "Our aim has been not just to provide high quality products at competitive prices, but to make food and wine shopping a truly more interesting and enjoyable experience.

"We offer some of the best quality produce from UK farms and around the world.

"We look forward to welcoming customers to our new delicatessen, cheese, wine, patisserie, meat and fish counters so they can judge for themselves.

"Waitrose Otley will also have a wide choice of wines selected by the company's acclaimed and award-winning Masters of Wine."

Mr Price added that the firm aimed to become an active member of the town.

"Waitrose prides itself on close relationships with local commun-ities, contributing to local initiatives and education projects," he said.

Otley & District Chamber of Trade and Commerce, meanwhile, said the development could only be good for the town.

President David Gagen said: "The Chamber welcomes the fact that a strong supermarket chain is going to be entering the town and that the speculation which has hung over Safeway is over. That caused some damage both to Safeway employees and the town as a whole.

"This is going to be beneficial to the town and secures the employment of a large number of local people.

"For some time Safeway has been an active member of the Chamber and we look forward to Waitrose joining forces with us in helping to promote Otley."

Pitched at the higher end of the market, Waitrose sells about 1,000 organic products, more than 50 types of fish and seafood, and more than 100 different cheeses.

Its takeover of the Otley store, subject to approval by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), will see all staff offered posts with Waitrose.

Shoppers should start to notice the first changes being made to the store very soon, with a phased refurbishment scheme due to take place during the next few months. Usdaw, the shop workers' union, says it is seeking talks with Waitrose about the deal to ensure jobs, pay and conditions are protected.