Byres Road, Glasgow: Opening

Waitrose Glasgow opened on 12/11/2009.  The following article appeared in The Gazette at the time.

“Waitrose Glasgow opened last Thursday to a warm welcome from customers and the city’s John Lewis Partners.
The branch- at Byres Road in the West End – is the third Waitrose in Scotland, but the first for Glasgow and it has been much anticipated by residents and the press.
‘We had a lot of publicity prior to opening and great press coverage following the big day’ say Branch Manager Andy. ‘Waitrose Glasgow is welcomed as a significant addition to the city’s retail offer and a help in competing with Edinburgh where there are already two shops.’
The branch has been comfortably beating budget since it opened and footfall has been impressive, with an average of 5,000 transactions a day.
‘The design and merchandising of the branch is spot-on and we’ve had great feedback from customers who can’t believe how we have transformed this former Somerfield shop, ’says Andy. ‘But what customers have been equally impressed by is the high quality of service they have received from all the Partners in the branch.’
Six Glasgow John Lewis Partners have transferred to the new branch to work while 64 new Partners formerly worked for Somerfield.
Waitrose Glasgow prides itself on its selection of 300 local and regional products. ‘Research has shown that Scots like to buy local products whenever possible which fits in well with Waitrose’s policy of championing local and regional suppliers,’ says Andy. ‘We are actively looking for more local products and I have already had enquiries from four Glasgow suppliers. I am sure I will get recommendations from customers.’
Plans for another new Scottish branch are already underway. A 25,000sq ft shop, due to open in 2011 is to be built in Newton Mearns, part of Greater Glasgow.’ “

The Gazette 20/11/09
Vol 91 No 42