Eastbourne (757): Opening

Waitrose Eastbourne 757 opened on 19th October 2006.
The following article appeared in the Partnership in-house magazine at the time.
Waitrose Eastbourne has been showered with compliments by customers, impressed with the newly transformed store in the first few days after it opened for trading in Eastbourne, East Sussex last week.
Branch Manager Steve, who has been seconded to manage the store for six months, was delighted by the number of positive comments, many by people who previously shopped there when it was owned by Morrisons.
“Partners have risen to the challenge of managing an extremely busy few days’ trading, ‘said BM Steve.
The branch is well situated in Eastbourne’s Old Town, an affluent residential area a mile west of the town centre. Part of a lively local community, the area contains specialist shops, historic buildings and attractive parks. Most of Eastbourne’s supermarkets are in out of town locations, so residents were delighted to see Waitrose open close to home.
The 21,000 sq. ft. shop floor offers a wide and balanced assortment, including a stunning display of fresh food service counters and a pharmacy. There is also a 150 space car park.
Nat, Head of Selling Operations, Group I, was impressed by the beautiful store. ‘ I saw the building before its conversion and I’m amazed by the incredible change in its feel and décor. It is lighter, brighter and appears more spacious.’
Helping to ensure the branch gets off to the best possible start are experienced Waitrose Partners from existing branches. Partners volunteered to help prepare the branch for opening and to train new partners in Waitrose methods and systems – known as a flood team.
Jean and David from Waitrose Okehampton possess a wide range of specialist skills between them. They are seasoned flood team members having helped with twelve acquired stores.  ’We are helping to ensure that branches open to the high standards expected by the business as well as passing on practical skills. It’s great to feel useful and we always get a buzz out of a branch opening. It adds an extra dimension to our jobs at home too, because we often pick up ideas which can be implemented on our return.’

So, what do customers think? First into the branch was Maz, ‘I have wanted Waitrose to trade here for a long time and I’ve been counting down the days to opening. I will be doing all my shopping here, and so will my friends. Waitrose quality is unbelievable.’
Customer Raymond could not believe his eyes at the difference Waitrose has made.’ The whole operation from the branch manager down looks to be a model of professionalism and efficiency. It is the one thing the Old Town needed and I, for one, will come here every day.’

Gazette 28.10.06.
Vol 88 No 39