Wilmslow (711): Opening

Waitrose Wilmslow opened on 03/11/2005.
The opening of a Waitrose in Wilmslow had been long-awaited by local residents and, on its opening day on 3rd November 2005, the first customers were very enthusiastic about it.  Wilmslow was the first of the new Toronto 2 branches to open – a refurbishment programme of a further number of Morrisons/Safeway stores. Wilmslow took 2 weeks to be converted to the Waitrose brand.
At 25,000 sq ft, Wilmslow opened with dedicated food counters, a pharmacy and with a team of just over 100 Partners. The branch was aided by 30 Partners from John Lewis Cheadle, John Lewis Trafford and Service Building who volunteered to help during the first 2 weeks. This occurrence of working jointly with a local John Lewis to open a Waitrose branch was the
first in the Partnership’s history, and Maggie Porteous (Head of Branch Cheadle and Trafford) stated that it was the natural thing for them to do. The Partners “enjoyed the opportunity to see how a different area of the business works and to give Partners who are new to the business an insight into the John Lewis culture.”
Wilmslow Branch Manager, Nick Wilmore, was also delighted that John Lewis Partners came to help. He said “It has been invaluable having the Cheadle and Trafford Partners here and they have brought an extra dimension to the opening.” Fifteen of the John Lewis Partners were trained as cashiers, while the remaining helped with the stock. Both branch managers were keen to foster the relationship between the brands, and to continue it into the future.

Source: Waitrose Chronicle, 12 November 2005

Address:
Church Street
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 1AY