Waitrose Set To Open First Shop in Colchester
Released
on: September 8, 2008, 9:25 am
Press
Release Author: Waitrose
Industry:
Retail
Press
Release Summary: Waitrose, the UK supermarket chain, has confirmed
it has exchanged contracts to open its first shop in Colchester,
Essex
Press
Release Body: Waitrose, the food shops of the
John Lewis Partnership, has announced that it
has entered into agreement with developers, St. Andrew’s
Avenue LLP (assisted by Aquila Developments Ltd.),
for the former Glyn Webb DIY store site in St.
Andrew’s Avenue, Colchester to be turned into their newest
store. The initial exchange of contracts was conditional to formal
approval of the application by the Council, which has now been
received, so work will now proceed.
While
Waitrose
only signed up in August, the developers already had an application
to open a supermarket on the site recommended for approval by
Colchester Council’s Planning Officers. This deal continues
to build on the food shop’s ambitious expansion plans, which
have seen the supermarket develop into a national brand over the
last five years.
The
new Waitrose supermarket
will have a retail area of 23,000sq ft and will offer 222 car
parking spaces for shoppers. Work will start on converting the
store in January 2009 with an anticipated opening in October next
year. Up to 150 job opportunities will be created for the local
community. As employees in the John Lewis Partnership, they will
be entitled to a share in annual profits, shopping discounts and
a say in how the business is run.
Waitrose
Director of Development, Nigel Keen, said: “There
is a real passion for quality
food here and we welcome the opportunity to bring Waitrose
to Colchester for the first time so people can discover more about
our brand. We pride ourselves on becoming part of the fabric of
a town and we look forward to playing an important role in adding
to the vibrancy of the town and offering more choice for the local
community.”
Tony
Chambers, on behalf of the developers, added: “We
are delighted Waitrose has committed itself to the scheme. We
believe this will create a real focal point for people in Colchester
and provide them with key services at the heart of their community.”
The
shop will offer a wide range of quality
fresh foods and groceries, an award-winning wine collection,
specialist meat, fish and cheese counters together with a bakery
and delicatessen.
About
Waitrose:
Waitrose has 191 branches in its estate including stores in Wales
and Scotland and has just been named Britain’s Best High
Street Retailer at the Which? Awards 2008 and Supermarket of the
Year by the RSPCA at its Good Business Awards in 2008. The food
shop has won more major wine awards than any other retailer and
was named Supermarket of the Year 2007 at the Decanter World Wine
Awards.
Waitrose
sells over 1,700 organic products, over 60 different types of
fish and seafood and more than 100 different cheeses. The food
shop also enjoys one of the best reputations for dealing with
farmers and suppliers
Web
Site: http://www.waitrose.com
Contact
Details: PR Contact:
Charlotte Hutley
The SPA Way
4 Leathermarket Street
London
SE1 3HN
0207 403 6900
2009
