Waitrose opening in Menai Bridge

The first Waitrose shop in North Wales is opening in Menai Bridge on Thursday.

Located on Mona Road, the 11,300 sq ft shop will be opened by Leanne Roberts, who worked at the shop when it was a Co-operative, and John Lewis, a new wine partner.

Waitrose joined the John Lewis Partnership in 1937 originally as a chain of ten specialist food shops.

The Menai Bridge shop will be 228th Waitrose store and its sixth store in Wales. The chain opened a store in Altrincham last October, which was the forth shop to open in Cheshire.

Employees at Waitrose will become partners or co-owners in the John Lewis Partnership. The John Lewis Partnership said partners will have a say in how the business is run and a share in the retailer's annual profits from next year.

Both Roberts and Lewis, who will become the only employee out of 70,000 partners in the John Lewis Partnership to share his name with the founder of the company, are partners.

Roberts said: "I am really excited about the opportunity to open the new Waitrose store here in Menai Bridge. It is a real honour, especially as this is my first day back after maternity leave following the birth of my baby girl. It's also my birthday the day after we open! I'm really looking forward to working for Waitrose and being a partner in our new coffee shop."

Eryl Lewis, the Mayor of Menai Bridge, who has welcomed Waitrose to the town ahead of its opening for business, added: "I am especially pleased that Waitrose has embraced the culture of bi-lingualism and gives precedence to the Welsh language. I am aware that Waitrose has a deserved reputation for supporting local charities, and look forward to its practice here on Anglesey."

The shop has created over 85 jobs for the area. In addition, more than 55 staff have transferred across from the previous Co-operative shop.

Gareth Hind, store manager at Waitrose Menai Bridge, said: "Everyone is very excited about the opening and staff have been undergoing extensive training in preparation. Our investment in the area has been substantial and we are looking forward to introducing shoppers in North Wales to the Waitrose brand for the first time.

"On opening day, we will be launching our 'Community Matters' scheme, which will see us donate £12,000 a year to 36 good causes that make a real difference within the local community. Our partners have chosen the first three causes, Menai Bridge Tigers Football Club, Arthritis Research Campaign Menai Bridge Division and The Thomas Telford Community Heritage Centre. I am looking forward to seeing lots of nominations for other worthwhile causes from our customers in the coming months."

The Waitrose Menai Bridge store will open on Thursday 25 March at 8am.