Waitrose prepares for Piccadilly launch

WAITROSE is preparing to open its second shop in Manchester city centre with a small supermarket in Gateway House next to Piccadilly Station.

Hoardings have gone up outside the 3,000 sq ft unit and TheBusinessDesk.com understands fit-out work will start next month after the group has taken control of the unit.

In June Waitrose, which has another outlet near the Civil Justice Centre, said the shop would employ around 60 staff. An opening date has not been set but a further statement is expected in the coming weeks.

Earlier in the year Gateway House was sold by Realty Estates to LaSalle Investment Management for around £25m.

Two years ago Realty struck a deal with London-based Max Serviced Apartments to run the upper floors of the building as a 182-bed apart-hotel.