Waitrose to close seven stores
The Waitrose supermarket chain has announced plans to close seven shops.
Three of the shops in Oadby, Wollaton and Bromley’s Burnt Ash Lane are being sold to Lidl while a Sandhurst store is being bought by an unnamed party. The retailer’s larger store at Bromley South will remain open.
Meanwhile, stores in Marlowe, Stevenage and Heathrow’s Waterside are all set for closure.
All seven shops are expected to cease trading in the autumn.
Waitrose & Partners director of shop trade Mark Gifford said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly but we have to do what’s right for the business as a whole. Thanks to the hard work of all our partners we’re making good progress and Waitrose & Partners is on track for profit growth this year but, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, we haven’t been able to find a way to make these shops profitable in the long term.”
The 677 staff members affected by the closures will now enter a period of consultation.
Gifford added: “Our priority now is the wellbeing and future of our partners in these shops. We will do everything we can to support them and will explore opportunities for anyone wishing to remain with the Partnership.”
