Christchurch: Opening

Waitrose Christchurch 754 opened on 25th October 2007.
The following article appeared in the Partnership in-house magazine at the time.

New Partners and customers at our new Christchurch branch warmly embraced Waitrose on its first day of business last Thursday [25/10/2007].
The 24,350 sq. ft branch which we acquired from the Co-op in October has brought together 45 former Co-op employees with a seconded management team of 19 as well as 123 newly recruited Partners. The transition has been well worth waiting for.
‘It’s been great news for us and for the town,’ said Tracey, CSA Checkouts. ‘Waitrose has been very welcoming and supportive. We’re feeling both nervous and excited, but glad the day has arrived.’ Tracey worked for the Co-op for 19 years and was at the store when it first opened 24 years ago.
Fellow CSA Checkouts and long serving former Co-op employee, Hannah agreed.’ The main thing is that Waitrose cares,’ she said. ‘Morale had taken quite a dip before the acquisition, and the way Waitrose looks after its staff, is second to none. We’re getting on very well with the Waitrose-seconded Partners who have given 110% support. We couldn’t wait to start the training, which has been superb. I am looking forward to many happy years working here.’
‘The team is very friendly here,’ said Matt, Supermarket Assistant Food Service 2.’ They’re not just work motivated but relations orientated as well. I knew from the training that I’d get on with everyone.’
ASM FRV, David, is the only former Co-op employee to be on the management team at the new branch. ’It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind – there’s been a lot to take in.’ he said .’The training has been excellent and seconded FRV Partners, Mark from Salisbury and David from Ringwood have been really good. The other seconded Partners have been fantastic too. It’s difficult coming from another shop, but I think Waitrose has done everything possible to help us fit in, and I feel very much part of them now.’

Anita, Supermarket Assistant Dry Goods, worked for the Co-op for just over 21 years and was very excited about the takeover.’ I can’t wait to get going,’ she said, ‘its been a long time coming. At first we did not know what to expect, but the training and the way Waitrose has treated us have been absolutely out of this world. It’s a new beginning and it’s going to be fantastic.’
As a long serving Co-op staff member, Anita was asked to open the new branch, together with the Mayor of Christchurch, Councillor Spencer. ‘I am delighted that Waitrose has come to Christchurch – I’m a loyal Waitrose customer and until now, I’ve had to go to Lymington, so I am very pleased that I no longer have to travel.’ said Councillor Spencer. ‘I’m very impressed with the appearance of the shop, it’s very welcoming. I am also very pleased that Waitrose took on the former Co-op staff, which shows concern for people, something the John Lewis partnership has always done.’
On top of the former Co-op employees, more than a 100 people were recruited externally. Helen, trainee Wine Specialist, joined the Partnership from Sainsbury’s, where she worked for 10 years. ‘I applied for a general position here, but when they heard I had experience in the wine section at Sainsbury’s , they offered me the trainee Wine Specialist job,’ she said. ‘I was very pleased, as I wasn’t expecting it. Knowing how much effort goes into sourcing the suppliers, is really what drew me to Waitrose”.

Christchurch which is our fifth branch in Dorset , brings our portfolio of branches up to 186 and is our second acquisition this year [2007] after Harborne in Birmingham which we acquired from Somerfield in July [2007]. The shop offers customers meat, fish, cheese, delicatessen, salad, hot food and patisserie counters, as well as Quickcheck and a wide selection of locally produced food. On opening morning customers could sample New Forest cider and ice cream together with a beer brewed in Salisbury.
The branch is our first to have opened with a management team that is almost entirely seconded – Partners having come from all across group A to help out.
DM Merchandising, Steve who has been seconded from Waitrose Dorchester, is one of these. ’It’s been very challenging with very different day to day tasks, but the new Partners have been extremely enthusiastic,’ he said.

‘The Branch looked great on opening morning thanks to the efforts of all partners concerned.’ said Waitrose Supply Chain Director, Mark. ‘ I know that anyone who saw the previous Co-op store had difficulty believing what we had achieved in such a short space of time, from my own Directorate, I know that the Bracknell Distribution Partners coped brilliantly with some last minute requests for additional product.’
Waitrose Systems Director Kevin commented, ‘The shop looks absolutely fantastic, but what I find really impressive, having seen photos of what it looked like just three weeks ago, is the transformation and how quickly it has been achieved – a testament to the skill and hard work of all involved. ‘

Chronicle 03/11/07
Vol 67 No 44