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Waitrose store opens in Southwick

George CardenBBC News, South East
News imageGeorge Carden/BBC Waitrose staff in their outfits and dark green aprons standing behind a green Waitrose ribbon ready to cut it with scissors. standing outside the shop frontGeorge Carden/BBC
The second Waitrose to open in seven years has come to Southwick, West Sussex

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."

News imageGeorge Carden/BBC Justin wearing an orange jacket with wool neck and his son Henry looking at the camera with thumbs up wearing a navy blue hoodie standing outside the shopGeorge Carden/BBC
Justin, left, and his son Henry were the first customers at the new shop

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.

News imageGeorge Carden/BBC John Burtenshaw standing in his butchers behind the counter. He is wearing a white shirt with red apron and red tie. BEhind him are staff cutting up meat George Carden/BBC
Businesses in the area were happy with the new addition to Southwick Square

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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