Category: Trade: Supermarket

Saturday 21st December 2013

Victoria Coombes writes ~

Waitrose And How The Store Is Serving Warminster

Although he has only been our Waitrose Branch Manager since September 2013, Nick Beazley is no newcomer to the area. Besides being on the management team at Salisbury Waitrose, he and his wife, a lawyer in the Army, once lived at Westbury and whilst serving in the RAF did a course at the Land Warfare Centre!

Nick Beazley, Branch Manager at Waitrose Warminster.

Nick says that since opening 19 months ago the branch has enjoyed significant growth and increased footfall. “Our team (108 full and part-time staff) is very much engaged in making Waitrose Warminster a success and since this time last year our weekly customer numbers have grown by 4,000. I see no reason why this increase should not benefit the town as a whole, bringing more customers to independent shops and creating a vibrant shopping area.” 

Of course it is in Waitrose’s interest for the local area to thrive and Nick says he feels little concern from the threat of competition which may be part of any proposed local development. “We just have to be ready to interpret the needs of our customers. In Warminster our products are much the same as other similarly-sized Waitrose; it is our policy to champion local products and here our suppliers include John Hurd’s watercress in Hill Deverill and Fussell’s oil from Rudge, near Frome.”

Waitrose have always had a community embracing attitude. All staff become partners in the business and as such co-owners, as they have a long term interest in making the branch a success. This community approach is also reflected in their Partner Volunteering work and green disc boxes at the checkout where customers choose which local charity to support – any organisation can apply to be included. “We have a democracy team who make decisions about this scheme. Every month we contribute £1,000 to charities,” says Nick.

However this system does not benefit from those who choose to shop online and although more and more are turning to this method at present the system is not offered from Warminster. Nick says they are hoping to join soon.

“We need to look at every way to satisfy our customer approach to shopping – for example, we have just launched a Click and Collect service that enables you to shop online for John Lewis products and have them delivered to Waitrose Warminster – great for Christmas shopping!”

This is just one way in which Waitrose Warminster is bringing a new dimension to the town’s shopping scene.

Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014 Opening Hours
for
Waitrose
Station Road, Warminster, BA12 9BR
Telephone 01985 848441
www.waitrose.com

Wednesday 18th December 2013
7.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Thursday 19th December 2013
7.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Friday 20th December 2013
7.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Saturday 21st December 2013
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Sunday 22nd December 2013
10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Monday 23rd December 2013
7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Tuesday 24th December 2013
7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday 25th December 2013
Christmas Day – CLOSED.

Thursday 26th December 2013
Boxing Day CLOSED

Friday 27th December 2013
7.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m.

Saturday 28th December 2013
7.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.

Sunday 29th December 2013
10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.

Monday 30th December 2013
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 31st December 2013
7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday 1st January 2014
New Year’s Day CLOSED

Thursday 2nd January 2014
7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Tuesday 23rd April 2013

A view from Warminster Civic Centre,
across the Western Car Park,
to the Morrisons supermarket. 

The photograph was taken by Danny Howell
on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.

The original arrangement for the official opening
of the new Waitrose in Warminster
was that it should take place at 7.00
in the morning, on Saturday 29th March 2012,
coinciding with the time when the store would open
its doors for its first day of trading with the public.

Children from the Avenue School and New Close School
were to officially cut the ribbon, accompanied
by Pip Ridout, the Mayor Of Warminster.

But the timing of the official opening was changed
when it was considered that 7.00 a.m.
would be a tad too early for the children.
So the store opened its doors for trading at 7.00 a.m.,
as originally arranged, but the official opening time
was rearranged for 9.00 a.m. the same day.

Danny Howell, who attended and took photographs of
the 7.00 a.m. opening (see earlier posts on this website)
returned to the store before 9.00 a.m. to capture with his
camera the official opening by the children and the Mayor.
And a joyous occasion it was too!

Headteacher of the Avenue School, Warminster,
arriving with some of the young students.

More Avenue School pupils.

Going into the new Waitrose store.

There was a definite air of excitement.

Mrs. Karin Ancell, Headteacher of New Close School,
arriving with some of the pupils.

New Close School pupils.

Pip Ridout, the Mayor of Warminster
(on the right) arrives.

Pip Ridout was beaming with delight.

Shirley Moriarty snaps a photograph
(of her granddaughter).
“She’s so excited about what’s happening today,”
said Shirley.

Children start assembling inside the new store.

Some of the parents and grandparents
came along too.

The children enjoyed meeting the Mayor of Warminster.

Plenty of photo opportunities.

A thumb’s-up!

Rob Cadwell (left), Press Officer for Corporate
and Branches, Waitrose; and Tom North,
Assistant Manager, Waitrose, Warminster.

The check-outs.

Advertising hoarding on the back of a vehicle.

The driver said he had an extensive route
to take through the villages around Warminster,
spreading the word that the new Waitrose
is now open for business in the town.

The store is wheelchair friendly.

Peter Rice takes a photo.

Waitrose Warminster Store Manager Mark Pomeroy
greeted the teachers and schoolchildren.

Pip Ridout, the Mayor of Warminster (left)
enjoys a humorous moment
with Mrs. Karin Ancell,
Headteacher of New Close School.

Waiting for the official opening.

The children had lots of questions for the
Store Manager Mark Pomeroy.

Watching the children exiting the store
for the cutting of the ribbon outside.

Going outside for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Listening to instructions about cutting the ribbon.

Talk amongst yourselves while we wait.

Apparently, the official photographer has
gone off to get another memory-stick . . . .

. . . . but he will be back in a moment.

While we’re waiting, parents and grandparents
and others can take some photographs
of us before the main event.

Store Manager Mark Pomeroy (on the left)
waits patiently too.

Ready to take photographs.

We’re taking photographs of the children
while they wait.

Time to take some more photographs.

It won’t be long now.

Watching from the side.

Press Officer Rob Cadwell,
Assistant Manager Tom North, and
Store Manager Mark Pomeroy, enjoying the occasion.

Time to chat in between taking photographs.

Let’s get the ribbon up ready.

Holding on to one end of the ribbon.

Holding on to the other end of the ribbon.

This is fun.

Got to keep the ribbon stretched tight.

Assistant Manager Tom North has the scissors
in his hands, ready to hand them over to the
children who will cut the ribbon.

One boy from the Avenue, and one boy from
New Close, have the scissors at the ready.

We’ve got to hold the scissors against the ribbon,
while parents, grandparents,
and the press take some photos.

Don’t cut the ribbon yet, people are still taking photos.

The excitement is brewing.

All smiles.

Now for the official photographer to capture the moment.

This is our big moment.

Everyone look at me!