UP TO 200 new jobs could be created in the city after Waitrose announced it wants to open its first Worcester store.
Yesterday (Tuesday) the supermarket chain unveiled plans for a new 40,000 sq ft shop on the former Trinity Printing Works site in London Road.
Work on the multi-million pound store could get underway this autumn if it is approved by Worcester City Council with a planned opening at the end of 2015.
Developer Opus Land, which is leading the project, is proposing to knock down the industrial units which made up the old printing works to make room for the new store and a 310 space car park.
Bosses are currently in talks with any existing tenants who are either coming to the end of their lease or who have plans to relocate in the future.
Richard Smith, managing director of Opus Land, said they planned to submit a planning application to the city council in the spring.
“We are delighted to be involved in bringing the Waitrose brand to Worcester and to have found the perfect site for their new shop,” he added.
“It has long been an ambition of Waitrose to open in Worcester and those living in Worcester will be equally delighted to have a Waitrose presence in the city.”
Waitrose chiefs said they had explored the possibility of a store in the city centre but could not find a suitable site large enough.
The supermarket will include meat, fish, cheese and patisserie counters as well as a coffee shop and an area selling John Lewis goods.
Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, added: “This is an exciting opportunity to achieve a long-held ambition to bring Waitrose to Worcester.
“We have explored a number of opportunities over the years and believe the plans brought forward by Opus Land represent the best scheme to deliver a quality food store for the city’s shoppers. It’s great that Worcester continues to attract investment and we hope that we can be part of its future.”
Thousands of newsletters are now being distributed to surrounding residents telling them about the plans, asking them for their feedback and inviting them to a public exhibition that will take place in The Court Room of The Guildhall next week.
Representatives from Waitrose and the project team will be on hand at the sessions on Friday, January 31 from 11am until 4pm, and Saturday, February 1, from 10am until 1pm.
People can also log onto www.waitroseworcester.co.uk to register their comments online.
