Waitrose to open first major supermarket in seven years
It forms part of plans to invest £1bn over the next three years into new stores and improvements to 150 existing shops
Waitrose is set to open its first full-line supermarket in seven years, which will be built at Brabazon, a new urban community in North Bristol.
The 30,000 sq ft store will create around 150 new jobs and is expected to open in 2027.
The retailer signed a multi-million pound deal with YTL Developments for the store, marking the first major commercial partnership at Brabazon.
The move coincides with the upcoming launch of a new convenience store in The Arches, Bristol, as well as recent expansions through franchised stores with Welcome Break in Spaldwick, Cambridgeshire and Rotherham, and a convenience store in Southwick, West Sussex.
More than 20 stores will undergo refurbishments this year, almost double the number of last year.
It forms part of plans to invest £1bn over the next three years into new stores and improvements to 150 existing shops.
The new Waitrose supermarket will occupy the ground floor of a seven storey office building and be served by an adjacent multi-storey car park with space for over 1,500 cars.
James Bailey, managing director for Waitrose, said: “We are moving up a gear in store investment as we open in new locations and modernise our existing estate to bring the quality, service and value that customers love about Waitrose closer to more people.
“Brabazon is one of the most exciting new city districts in the UK, driving the growth of one of the UK’s most vibrant and successful regional economies. Partnering with YTL Developments at Brabazon underlines our ambition and the opportunity we believe we have to grow our reach.”
Seb Loyn, planning and development director at YTL Developments, added: “The arrival of Waitrose in 2027 is not only great news for the thriving community of new residents at Brabazon: It shows that this new city district is now firmly established as one of the most attractive destinations for both homebuyers and commercial investment in the South West.
“In the past year, YTL Developments has announced a multi-billion pound investment package, seen work start on a new train station, and welcomed hundreds of new residents to the community. Welcoming Waitrose – one of the best-loved retailers in the UK – to Brabazon as our first commercial partnership is a signal of our intent to create a new town for North Bristol that works for people and for businesses, now and for years to come.”
Brabazon is a new neighbourhood being built on the historic former Filton Airfield. Approved plans for the urban community include thousands of new homes, workplaces to support up to 30,000 jobs, as well as the largest new urban public park in the South West for over 50 years and a new arena.
