7:00am Friday 26th June 2009
By Katy Islip
HUNDREDS of shoppers headed to the new Waitrose in London Road, Leigh, yesterday.
Long queues built up at the tills in the store, but there were plenty of staff on hand to help.
The upmarket chain has offered jobs to all staff at the Somerfield store it has replaced.
Yesterday staff welcomed shoppers in and offered 5,000 free long-life plastic bags to encourage them to reuse and recycle plastic bags.
Area manager Wayne Narraway said: “Leigh is the perfect place for us to open a new store as there is a strong demand for quality food here.
“We are keen to build on the success of our other branches in Essex and neighbouring counties and make the Waitrose brand more accessible to people in the area.”
The John Lewis-owned chain has recently launched a Waitrose Essentials range of ethically-produced and affordable grocery staples.
For the first year, shoppers will be able to vote for one of three local projects every month. The votes will be used to calculate how a £1,000 donation will be split among the groups.
Mr Narraway added: “We’re looking forward to becoming an active member of the community.
“We would like to invite customers to join us in putting forward the names of the causes they would like to see us support over the coming months.”
Peter Ibbotson, the store’s new manager, said: “Judging by this morning, local people are really pleased that we are here. We are really pleased to be here and be part of the community.”
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