Waitrose store opens in Southwick
Shoppers have welcomed a new Waitrose in Southwick, the supermarket's second new store to open in seven years.Little Waitrose, in Southwick Square, opened on Thursday morning with a ribbon cutting and the first customers were given bouquets of flowers.Businesses nearby said it is a "great asset" for the area, while shoppers said it was a surprise to see Waitrose in their village.The supermarket said Southwick is a "great location" to open its first new store this year.
The first customers in the shop were Henry, 11, and his dad Justin."It's exciting and Waitrose is a nice shop and has a nice selection of items", Henry told BBC Radio Sussex."They handed us a beautiful bouquet of flowers which really touched us."Justin added: "Henry already has his pocket money lined up."All the shops are looking really smart along here now, it looks really good."
Southwick resident Ricky Brian said: "It's something different for the square, I can see it doing quite well."I've lived here all my life, I remember when it was Woolworths. I didn't think we'd get a Waitrose, we're going up in the world."Waitrose is planning to open 100 new convenience stores over five years and said it is investing £1bn into new shops and investments. The Southwick store has added 22 jobs to the area.
John Burtenshaw, co-owner of Southwick Square Meats, said: "I think it's a great asset to the square, I'm looking forward to people coming and supporting the local shops."I think it's the best thing that's happened since Woolworths closed. It's a nice surprise."Elizabeth Hornby, who works at Sandwich in the Square, said: "It will bring a lot more people here."I didn't expect a Waitrose to come to Southwick Square but I think it's good for the area."Newly appointed shop manager, Lauren Eastman, said: "Southwick is a great location for us and we cannot wait to become part of the local community."
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