UK retailer Waitrose has opened a new store in Hawkhurst, Kent, with a ceremony led by Rt Hon Greg Clark, Secretary of State for business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Waitrose acquired the 10,300 square feet Budgens unit from Booker Retail Partners GB in February this past year, taking full ownership this summer.
The store on Rye Road will welcome 57 new employees in addition to any staff members wishing to transfer from Budgens. The store will employ 75 staff in total.
Store manager, Jeremy Barnard, said:“We are proud to be in Hawkhurst and are delighted that the minister was able to join us in unveiling the new store.
"Having a readymade supermarket unit has enabled us to open relatively quickly, but we are grateful for residents’ patience while we transformed the store. We can now look forward to providing shoppers with our latest products and services as well as playing a role in the local community.”
The new store will boast many Waitrose regulars such as: fresh meat counters; a hospitality area, and an-award winning wine department. The post office has also been retained.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Aoife Lawless. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
