Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Waitrose has confirmed that it will open its first shop in the Surrey market town of Leatherhead in 2016.
The grocery chain has agreed a long-term lease with Hague Investments for a new Waitrose branch in Church Street, which will offer 6,000sq ft of selling space and 22 parking spaces.
Three smaller units are being converted into one and extended to the rear to accommodate the branch, which will be handed over to the supermarket by summer 2016. It is expected to open soon after, at a date to be confirmed. The store will create more than 60 jobs, with recruitment due to start next spring next year.
While the retailer is well established across Surrey, and only recently opened a new supermarket in Guildford, Waitrose Leatherhead will be only its third convenience shop in the county.
More than 5,000 products will be available at the new branch, including its ‘essential Waitrose’ range, freshly made baguettes, hot ready to eat snacking foods and award-winning wines.
Waitrose director of development Nigel Keen said: “We realise there has been a great deal of anticipation as to when we would be in a position to confirm that we are coming to Leatherhead, and we are delighted that has arrived. We have always been overwhelmed by the number of letters we receive asking us to open here. It’s an ambition we have shared for a long time.
“We now cannot wait to bring together our new team, welcome our new customers and play our part in encouraging shoppers to visit the parade as well as the high street.”
