New Waitrose store to open in Solihull next week
Solihull MP Julian Knight will officially unveil the new Waitrose store on Homer Road at 7:30am on Thursday 23rd June.
He will join branch manager Ben Service and members of his team in cutting the ribbon and welcoming the store’s first customers.
Waitrose Solihull has created 100 jobs and will include meat and fish counters, and a café bar with indoor and outing seating. The store will also feature a sushi counter, which will be manned by a skilled sushi chef who will prepare fresh products in front of customers throughout the day.
When it opens its doors, Waitrose will launch a number of initiatives to support the local community such as its Community Matters ‘green token’ scheme. Every month, £1,000 will be given to local charities and other good causes nominated by Partners and customers.
The first to benefit from the initiative will be Signpost Inclusion, which offers support to families of children and young people with additional needs, Sunfield Children’s Home, and the Charlie Ramsey Research Fund, which raises money for research for babies and children born with half a heart.
The branch will also provide 250 hours each year to causes through the Waitrose Partner Volunteering programme
Mr Knight said: “I am delighted to be officially opening the new Waitrose store in Solihull. Attracting quality retailers to our town is something which I, and local residents, are passionate about.
“The opening of Waitrose will complement the existing John Lewis store and provide excellent food and grocery items.
“Along with the opening, I welcome the investment Waitrose is making in our local community, including the Community Matters ‘green token’ scheme which will see money donated each month to local causes selected by their customers, and 250 hours of volunteering to good causes.
“The opening of Waitrose reaffirms what a great place Solihull is to do business but also brings more new jobs, helping to maintain our town’s enviable employment record.”
All new employees have become members of the John Lewis Partnership, entitling them to exclusive benefits, including leisure and learning subsidies, shopping discounts and a share in profits in the form of an annual bonus.
Ben added: “Following a multi-million-pound investment, we are proud to be opening in Solihull and are really pleased that Mr Knight will be joining us to help unveil the new branch.
“The finishing touches are now being made to the store and we’re getting ready to stock the shelves and welcome our first customers through the door.
“Everyone in our 100-strong team is looking forward to providing the local community with a fantastic new shopping experience, including our latest products and services.”
For more information: http://www.waitrose.com/content/waitrose/en/bf_home/bf/642.html
(Picture: Waitrose Solihull Branch Manager Ben Service).