Chippenham: Opening

Waitrose Chippenham 523 opened on 14th April 2011.
The following article appeared in the Partnership in-house magazine at the time.
Waitrose Chippenham convenience store opening took place as the Wiltshire market town was gearing up for its annual festival to commemorate rock and roll legend Eddie Cochran.
Close to 1,500 customers rocked up to the new store in the first day of trading. The long wait for Waitrose proved worth it, especially for the first customers were presented with a bottle of champagne.
There were 31 new Partners.  Almost 900 had applied for the 36 positions available, with five Partners transferring.
‘We have been able to pick a superb team, ‘ said Store Manager, Chris. ‘I only wish we were larger and could have taken on more. Chris who has been with Waitrose for 27 years, was previously DM Customer Services at Portishead and Barry branches.
“You have to forget branch structures when managing a convenience store.  Here everybody does everything.’
At the 3014 sq. ft store in the town’s Borough Parade shopping centre, Partners were particularly busy providing shoppers with freshly baked bread rolls and baguettes.
‘The Food For Now Offer with coffee was very popular ‘, Chris added, ‘We’re fortunate that the store is right next to the car park, so being open 7 to 10 each day, we are catching a lot of people on their way to work and again coming home when parking is free.’

Chronicle 21.04.11
Vol 71 No 12