Worcester (700): Opening

Waitrose Worcester opened its doors on June 30th 2016, becoming one of the 10 largest Waitrose stores in the UK, at a huge 38,000 sq ft.

The branch featured, at the time of opening, a cafe, bakery and sushi bar as well as being the first outside London to include a wine bar with a draught beer pump. Customers were able to choose between Longhorn and Lawless brands of beer.

Over 1,300 people applied for the shop’s 130 roles.

The store was described as a “real flagship for our brand” by Branch Manager, Scott Whittaker.

A few of the local newspapers also reported on the opening, detailing the £20 million cost of the new store, as well as the part-demolishment of the original Ebenezer Baylis Print Works site. Thousands flocked to the store at 8am to see its opening.

Worcester Waitrose was officially opened by Robin Walker MP and nine-year-old Isobel from Nunnery Wood Primary School who won a competition to design a shopping bag for the branch.

Facilities currently available at Worcester Waitrose include: click and collect, flower wrapping, dry cleaning and Pharmacy services. There are also fresh fish, meat, cheese, delicatessen, sushi, hot food and bakery counters, as well as a wine bar and olive bar.

Address: 223 London Rd, Worcester WR5 2JG