CHESHAM and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan enjoyed a welcome cup of freshly-ground coffee from the newest cafe in town when she cut the ribbon to officially open the BP Connect site this week.

Chalfonts Way in White Lion Road, Amersham, is the first BP Connect store to open in Buckinghamshire and is part of a major programme which will see the company open around 80 stores open in the UK by the end of 2001.

The new-style store houses a cafe, offers convenience shopping, internet access and cleaner fuels all on the one site.

Graham Sims, retail business unit leader at BP, said: "Products and services today need to be time-saving, easy to use and above all convenient."

But some residents in White Lion Road were not as impressed with the new petrol station after its store was granted a provisional licence to sell alcohol last month.

Richard Ling, a White Lion Road resident, said: "It's amazing. It is encouraging drink driving."

The store will aim to offer a selection of wines and beers in a section run by Victoria Wines.

Sam Sehmi, manager of the BP Connect store, said since the store opened last week it had been very busy and well received by customers.

The store currently employs three staff but Mr Sehmi is looking to increase that number by taking on a further four employees.