Waitrose opening supermarkets in 2 huge UK cities – part of £1bn investment | UK | News
Waitrose has announced it will open new stores in two major UK cities this autumn as part of a massive £1bn investment programme. Supermarket chain Hale Barns, currently trading as Asda, will have a new location in Manchester and a new location in Cricklewood in North West London, which will be a newly developed facility.
The Hale Barns facility has been operating as Asda since 2024, after opening as a Stand in 2015. It will be fully refurbished before Waitrose takes over the 15,000 sq ft site, while the Cricklewood project is expected to span 18,000 sq ft. It is part of Waitrose’s £1bn investment strategy, which has transformed 23 stores and plans to complete 28 stores by 2025. Renovations in 2026.
Tina Mitchell, Waitrose retail director, said: “These two new stores are an important step in our plans to bring Waitrose to more customers.
“As we continue to invest in our existing stores and wider network, we want to be where it matters most to our customers, offering the quality, service and convenience they expect from Waitrose.”
The supermarket chain plans to open a new store in Essex’s Chelmer Village, followed by Little Waitrose in Ascot towards the end of this year.
A south-west distribution center is also planned to open next year, as well as a flagship supermarket in Brabazon, Bristol, planned for 2028.
Bottles of high-quality wine and champagne are set to be locked in “smart lockers” in the store. Telegram reported.
The change means anyone exiting the winery must go through a process before being allowed entry.
