Waitrose has announced it will open new stores in two major UK cities this autumn as part of a huge £1billion investment programme. The supermarket chain will have a new location in Hale Barns, Manchester, which is currently trading as an Asda, and another in Cricklewood, North-west London, which will be a newly developed site.
The Hale Barns site has been an Asda since 2024 after originally opening as a Booths in 2015. Before Waitrose takes over the 15,000 sq ft location, it will undergo a full refit, while the Cricklewood development is expected to span 18,000 sq ft. This comes amid Waitrose’s £1 billion investment strategy that has already transformed 23 stores in 2025 and is planning to complete 28 refurbishments in 2026.
Waitrose retail director Tina Mitchell said: “These two new shops are an important step in our plans to bring Waitrose to more customers.
“We want to be in the places that matter most to our customers, offering the quality, service and convenience they expect from Waitrose, while continuing to invest in our existing shops and wider network.”
The supermarket chain is planning to open a new store in Chelmer Village, Essex, followed by a Little Waitrose in Ascot later this year.
A southwest distribution centre is also set to open next year, as well as a flagship supermarket in Brabazon, Bristol, scheduled for 2028.
High-end bottles of wine and champagne are set to be locked away in store in “smart cabinets”, the Telegraph reported.
The change means anyone getting out the wine will have to go through a process before they are allowed entry.