Little Waitrose opens for business

by Lisa Reeves

Thursday 11^th August 2011

Thu 11^th Aug 2011

Waitrose has opened its new convenience store today at The Parade, occupying the former Fruitcake, Mandarin and HSBC units.

Little Waitrose is a 4,284 ft² store which aims to provide all the products customers may need in the next 24 to 48 hours with a focus on fresh food.

Over 400 applications were received for the thirty five new jobs created, and all employees have become Partners in the John Lewis Partnership.

Waitrose has also launched its Community Matters Initiative in Alderley Edge through which it will commit £6000 each year to local good causes.

The first causes chosen are: the Alderley Edge Scout Hall, Alderley Methodist Church Spire Appeal and Alderley Edge Goat Sanctuary.

You can nominate a local cause to receive support from the Community Matters scheme by picking up a form instore.

Little Waitrose will be open from 7am until 10pm Monday to Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sundays.

If you visit the new convenience store let us know what you thought about it via the comment box below or by adding a review to our directory.

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Fenton Simpson

Thursday 11^th August 2011 at 8:53 pm

I had a quick look today and I was impressed. Better value than Tesco. Unfortunately the CO-OP was dead, but I bought something from them.

I hope Tesco were even slower on trade as I'd rather see them go than the CO-OP.

Kelvin Briggs

Friday 12^th August 2011 at 4:15 pm

'Little' Waitrose.... but 'big' on design, quality, products and well trained enthusiastic staff. A great shopping experience on opening day. Will be back for sure cutting down on journeys to their Wilmslow Branch. Acceptable downside will be the parking difficulties if yesterday was anything to go by.

A tough act for CoOp and Tesco to compete with.Will be interesting to see who cracks first and departs the village. If it's CoOp, could be Waitrose expand in to their space.

Louise Mason

Friday 12^th August 2011 at 4:53 pm

A great store & really nice shopping experience. I can see it's not going to be very good for my waistline!

Claire MacLeod

Friday 12^th August 2011 at 5:32 pm

I popped in yesterday and purchased a few sundry items. Prices were above average, but this is what I expected. Quality was good. I was a bit taken aback, when asked by the man at the till whether I like the store, when I responded 'Yes, but I like the Co-op, too', his colleague feigned shock and shouted across at me, 'Oh! You can't say that!' I feel loyal to the Co-op and suspect I will do my bigger shops there and pop into Waitrose for odd items. Interestingly, I was looking for cress (not a particularly exotic ingredient) and NONE of the 3 supermarkets were stocking it!

Heather Wienholt

Saturday 13^th August 2011 at 3:37 pm

Further to Kelvin Briggs' comment..."who will crack first and depart the village".... will it be Wienholts, Alderley Village butcher, Granthams, Horseshoe farm, coop, Tesco? As easily as the popularity of Waitrose could close down Tesco it could also close down the smaller shops. There was a public outcry when Tesco opened about how it would ruin the village, but Waitrose has us all skipping through it's doors with glee! I don't understand?? Why is Waitrose such an angel and Tesco a devil? Please help me here!

Saturday 13^th August 2011 at 7:45 pm

Heather, it's a reasonable question and I can only speculate. I suspect that Waitrose's high-end profile (high quality and high prices) fits the profile of many of Alderley's well-off residents. Tesco has a different profile - low prices, average quality and very little social/ community responsibility. Perhaps Alderley residents like to be perceived as Waitrose customers but don't have the same enthusiasm for being perceived as Tesco customers? (In other words, consumer snobbery.) The Co-op has a different profile - ethically driven, and customers are 'members' who share those ethics. For this reason, I hope it is Tesco that takes the fall. I am cautiously optimistic that your store and the other independents will survive. We value your unique offerings and presence in the village. I hope I'm right.

Bailey Husband

Tuesday 16^th August 2011 at 4:53 pm

I have to say that I have only been in the Tesco once and wasn't that impressed with what I found. I think people have realised it's better to spend a few extra pound and get better quality, more tasty ingredients and food. Rather than saving some money, but having a less wholesome meal at the end of it. I think Tesco will find it hard now, purely because residents of Alderley seem to have good taste, and will spend a little more to get the better product.

Tuesday 16^th August 2011 at 9:56 pm

Heather I think the problem with Tesco is that their only motive is the make profit for their shareholders. I still hold one share as it gives me voting rights at the AGM, I worked for them for 13 years in their payroll department in South Wales. They were ruthless enough to get rid of our UK jobs and send our jobs to India!

The differences with CO-OP and Waitrose is that they have ethics on many policies and it's not always about the profit level. Animal welfare, buying at a fare price etc.

I'm sure that your shop/business won't be affected as you seem to have a very loyal customer base and are unique. I'm not sure about the other businesses.

Anyway I'm sure we will talk about this next time were down the allotment growing our own veg!

Caroline Karlsson

Tuesday 13^th September 2011 at 8:33 pm

I do like the new supermarket but is also sad to see Fruitcake cafe go - anyone who knows any news about them? Are they opening somewhere else? Caroline