Waitrose confirms Birmingham opening

SUPERMARKET group Waitrose has confirmed its first store in Birmingham city centre will open in March, creating 40 new jobs.

The 3,229sq ft unit, situated at One Colmore Row, close to the entrance to Snow Hill Station, will complement the retailer’s nearby branches in Harborne, Sutton Coldfield and Four Oaks.  

Recruitment for the new store is currently taking place and the retailer, part of the John Lewis Partnership, has said the new store will open on March 20.

Successful candidates will begin their training in early March.

Andy Woodcock, area manager for Waitrose, said: “We have been wanting to open a store in the city centre for a long time now and have received hundreds of requests to open a store here. It’s very exciting as there’s not long now till we can open our doors to customers.  

“Recruitment only began last week but we are already impressed by the high quality of candidates looking to start a career at Waitrose.”  

The store can anticipate heavy footfall but faces stiff competition with Tesco and Sainsbury’s outlets in close proximity, as well as sandwich shops, newsagents and the Great Western Arcade..