Press releases

Waitrose reveals opening date for first food shop in Storrington

Monday 1 February 2010

Multi-million pound makeover for Old Mill Square shop

Waitrose, the supermarket chain of the John Lewis Partnership, can today announce that its first shop in Storrington, West Sussex will open on Thursday 4 March.

The multi-million pound makeover for the 7,900 sqft Somerfield shop on Old Mill Square, which the retailer has purchased from the Co-operative Group 1, will begin on Thursday 11 February.

All Somerfield employees have been given the opportunity to join Waitrose; in addition the supermarket will be creating over 55 new jobs at the shop. All employees will become Partners, entitling them to a say in how the business is run, and an annual share in its profits from next year. The food shop is currently recruiting for these coveted positions - interested parties should visit JLP Jobs website (www.jlpjobs.com) for further information. All staff will undergo extensive training before the shop opens.

The retailer will be hosting a 'Come & Meet Waitrose' event at the Storrington & Sullington Parish Council Hall, Thakeham Road on Thursday 18 February from 11am until 2pm. Waitrose Partners will be on hand to answer questions and there will be the chance to meet some of the local producers who will be supplying the shop and sample their products.

Tina Tilley, Representative of the Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce comments: 'It is good to see a progressive company taking over in the local area, retaining employees and also creating new jobs, which is great in these difficult times.'

Waitrose Storrington Store Manager, Andrew Walker, comments: 'Waitrose has wanted to come to Storrington for a long time. Our aim has always been to ensure that we deliver a food shop that best meets the needs of the town and we believe that the Somerfield store offers us an exciting opportunity to achieve this.

'I am really looking forward to welcoming employees from Somerfield into the Partnership whilst also creating additional jobs for the local community.'

Waitrose is committed to helping its customers support small businesses from their area and Waitrose Storrington will be selling a wide selection of produce including speciality beers from Arundel Brewery, cakes from More Foods and sauces & mustards from The Relish In Spice Company - all suppliers within 20 miles of the store.

Customers at the new shop will benefit from a wide range of fresh foods, dedicated meat, fish and cheese service counters, the new 'essential Waitrose' range of everyday affordably priced shopping items 2 , its Waitrose Delivery Service 3  & Quick Check 4   and the supermarket's award-winning wine collection.

Notes to editors

  1. Five stores, in total, have been acquired from the Co-operative Group, as a result of its acquisition of the Somerfield chain, which will create over 500 jobs across the country, taking the total number of stores in the Waitrose estate to 227. These stores will provide over 50,000 sq ft of additional floor space and will increase its presence in areas where Waitrose is under represented. The other four stores are:
    • Wellington, Somerset - 14,200 sq ft - opened 28 January 2010
    • Ashbourne, Deryshire - 7,150 sq ft - opening 18 March 2010
    • Melksham, Wiltshire - 10,600 sq ft - opening 18 March 2010
    • Menai Bridge, Anglesey - 11,300 sq ft - opening 25 March 2010.
       
  2. essential Waitrose food meets Waitrose high standards of quality and animal welfare - a range of everyday products ranging from fresh meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables to canned & frozen food and beauty & household products. All pork is British and from pigs that are outdoor bred, all beef and chicken is British, eggs are free range and all bananas are Fairtrade. 
     
  3. Waitrose Delivery Service allows customers to carry out their shop in-store and then give their arms a rest by choosing a delivery slot and having it delivered to their door at a time that is convenient for them. 
     
  4. Waitrose Quick Check is the service that lets customers scan as they shop and pack items into bags as they go, eliminating the need to queue at the checkout. 

About Waitrose:

  • Waitrose currently has five stores in West Sussex in East Grinstead, Horsham, Burgess Hill, Worthing & Chichester. 
     
  • As of this week, Waitrose has 223 branches across the UK, including stores in Wales and Scotland. 
     
  • In January 2010, Waitrose was recognised, for the fifth year running, as top Food & Grocery Retailer in a poll of 6,000 shoppers carried out by retail analysts Verdict Research. 
     
  • The latest TNS figures (12 weeks total grocery data to 27 December 2009) show that Waitrose has seen the most rapid growth in the sector with a growth rate of 16.5 per cent. This compares to the industry average of 5.2 per cent. 
     
  • The food shop has won more major wine awards than any other retailer. 
     
  • The food shop enjoys one of the best reputations for dealing with farmers and suppliers.

Enquiries

For further information, please contact:

Alison Grinter
Press Officer
Telephone: 01344 825586
Email: alison_grinter@waitrose.co.uk

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