Media Release: Waitrose Helensburgh announces opening date

WAITROSE Helensburgh will open its doors to customers at 8am on Thursday 24 October, its branch manager, Brian Murrie, is pleased to announce.

The Helensburgh branch will be the sixth Waitrose in Scotland, with 25,000 square feet of retail space, a coffee shop, petrol station and 180 car park spaces. The branch has created around 200 new jobs in the area, with the recruitment process ongoing.

Brian Murrie, branch manager, said: “We can’t wait to open our doors to customers in October and I’m sure they’ll agree that it’s been worth the wait.

“We’re really looking forward to becoming a part of the Helensburgh community, especially because of the support we’ve received from local residents over the past couple of years.

“Over the next two months, Helensburgh residents will really see the new branch take shape, and behind the scenes we’ll be completing recruitment, training our new Partners and organising our suppliers.”

Councillor Vivien Dance, who campaigned locally for the new Waitrose branch, said: “The weeks of speculation are finally at an end and the Supporters Group is delighted that this investment in Helensburgh has come to fruition. We look forward to welcoming Brian and his new Waitrose team into our community.

“This is a total good news story as the store and petrol station will not only provide increased retail choice and local employment, but – additionally – many of our local groups will benefit from the John Lewis Partnership approach to supporting community activities.

“We are indeed fortunate to have such a highly-regarded company in our midst; it makes all the efforts over the last two years worthwhile and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with Waitrose over the years to come.”

As well as featuring products from local and regional suppliers such as the Argyll Smokery, Henshelwood’s Fine Foods (Isle of Bute) and Inverawe Smokehouse, the branch will also sell a selection of non food items from John Lewis, such as stationery and cookware.

Waitrose Helensburgh will also have dedicated fish, cheese, meat and bakery counters and customers will be able to make entertaining friends and family that little bit easier, with the branch’s free glass loan and Waitrose entertaining range.

Waitrose has a strong focus on value. Its competitively-priced essential Waitrose range offers 1,500 everyday products at every day prices and it has a commitment to ensuring all branded products are the same price as Tesco, excluding promotions.

Waitrose Helensburgh will donate £12,000 each year (£1,000 every month) to local good causes through its Community Matters scheme and will also donate 250 hours of Partners’ time to volunteering for local charities, projects and initiatives. Customers will be able to nominate their favourite good causes in store.

ENDS

Media contact: Sarah McDaid, Pagoda PR (0131 556 0770/ sarah.mcdaid@pagodapr.com )

Notes to editors:

Waitrose Helensburgh opening hours

Sunday:  09:00 – 20:00 Monday:  08:00 – 21:00 Tuesday:  08:00 – 21:00 Wednesday:  08:00 – 21:00 Thursday:  08:00 – 21:00 Friday:   08:00 – 21:00 Saturday:  08:00 – 20:00

About Waitrose

  • Waitrose employees are all Partners in the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest co-owned business and as such are entitled to the unique benefits of employee ownership, including a say in how the business is run and a share in profits.
  • Waitrose has five other Scottish branches – two in Edinburgh (Comely Bank and Morningside), Glasgow (Byres Road), Newton Mearns and Stirling. Waitrose Milngavie was granted planning permission in early 2013 is expected to open in 2015.

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