Waitrose Chiswick opened on in September 1959. The Gazette announced that the recruitment process was underway. “There will be full and part-time jobs for women and girls as check-out operators, pre-packers, stock selectors, shop fillers and dining-room assistants. There will also be full-time work for men as butchers and porters. Juniors can train in the food trade, and weekend boys and girls are welcomed”.
The shop covered an area of 3,500 square feet. Written orders for refills for shop shelves were sent on special trolleys where stock selectors picked out items needed. Six amplifiers concealed within the ceiling relayed soft music, while customers could enjoy the novelty of cash registers, ‘new to England’.
The manager of the branch was Mr H A Ainsworth, his deputy being Mr G Loader. Although no formal opening was arranged, there was a small opening party, the guests being fourteen Waitrose Partners with 25 years or more membership.
The branch closed on 5th March 1988 with 19 Partners transferring to Waitrose Richmond, which was due to open on 22nd March 1988.
A new branch opened at Chiswick on 4th December 2008, slightly larger than the first at 9,000 square feet.
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I worked there in 1974 as a trainee manager.
Tom Smith was manager at that time with a Mr Olsen as deputy.
A particular lady who I remember well was Pat. She took me under her wing when I was just 16. Happy days!
I worked there as a trainee manager in 1971
One of the nicest men I ever met was the deputy manager, he was an Irishman named Tom Smith, he had the knack of making a 17 year old boy feel really valued.
Lovely man.
Tommy Cooper’s wife used to shop there, happy times looking back
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