Sneak preview: behind-the-scenes at the new Waitrose store
Cheers...Douglas Francis pours out a Scrambler Cider at Waitrose in Harborough
AS YOU walk into the new Waitrose store in Harborough, you are struck with the busy bustle of the place.
Doors are being painted, shelves stacked and there are staff being trained throughout the shop.
The Mail, granted a special behind-the-scenes preview this morning (Monday), is introduced to several of the “partners” (staff here are called partners as Waitrose is not owned by shareholders but by everyone who works for the John Lewis Partnership) and my overall impression is the enthusiasm they have for the store they will be working for come Thursday and their great knowledge of the products they sell.
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Understandably, the fresh food is not in yet but there are some lovely sections throughout, including a gluten-free range and a charming area for products from the Harborough district.
There is Scrambler cider from The Bottle Kicking Cider Company which I had the pleasure of sampling [only a sip!], served to me by Douglas Francis who is heading up the store’s alcohol department.
As well as a delicatessen and meat and fish section, there is also a cookware collection and bakery where goods are part-baked.
I am curious as to what Waitrose will offer that other superstores in Harborough {Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Co-op] do not have, but the Waitrose cafe seems to be a prime example of this.
The cafe will sell food with low-fat options, soup, sandwiches, hot and cold breakfasts and more. A nice touch is that there will be recipe cards for those shoppers wanting to make the dishes at home.
Waitrose will offer luxury ranges from Heston Blumenthal as well as more cost-conscious products in its Essential Waitrose collection.
It is also striving for a focus on the community, not only with the stocking of local products but also in its Community Matters scheme and the volunteering they will be doing in Harborough.
The Community Matters Scheme will see £1,000 divided every month between three good causes and charities in the district. It is possible for groups to put their names forward to benefit from the scheme and every customer will get to choose who the money should be allocated to.
Store manager Loretta Taylor said it will contribute 250 hours of voluntary work in the district over the next year.
Anyone producing a food product in the Harborough area can also put themselves forward to be considered by Waitrose stockists and Mrs Taylor hopes to see the local range expand.
Her enthusiasm about the opening of the store is infectious and is also reflected in the staff that I speak to at the store who state how friendly everyone is there and how much they are looking forward to the opening on Thursday.
Story by Elinor O’Neill. {http://www.twitter.com/lostinnotation|Follow her on Twitter|Follow Ellie}
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Weather for Market Harborough
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
