Waitrose to open a store in central Solihull

UP-MARKET food retailer Waitrose is planning to open its first store in central Solihull.

Subject to planning permission, it will open a 28,000 sq ft store on a 1.68 acre development plot on Homer Road, behind the high street and Touchwood shopping centre and opposite parent John Lewis’s department store.

Henley in Arden-based developer Opus Land and Standard Life Investments are working in partnership to bring the store forward

The development – on a site which currently has offices on it – will be managed by Opus Land, funded by Standard Life Investments and leased to Waitrose.

Waitrose has been linked with a move to the Solihull area for a number of years. Its closest store to the well-heeled town is on the Stratford Road in Hall Green.

However, it also has planning permission for a small (12,500 sq ft) store in nearby Knowle and aims to open that in 2015.

Opus Land is usually associated with industrial developments. The central Solihull scheme will be its first food store.

Gareth Williams, development director at Opus Land, said: “We are delighted that, having decided to move into this most dynamic sector of the market, our first food store scheme should be with such a quality operator in such a high profile, well known location. 

“We look forward both to continuing our relationship with Waitrose going forward, and to fostering new relationships within the sector generally.”

James Stevens, head of UK development, Standard Life Investments, said: “The potential to redevelop this existing asset demonstrates Standard Life Investments’ long-term investment strategy and proactive management of our existing portfolio to identify and deliver development opportunities.”