Waitrose opened its first convenience store yesterday, in Nottingham. The 5,815 sq ft (540 sq m) shop, in the city’s Trinity Square, is located opposite the John Lewis department store and is the first of a four-branch convenience store trial.

The shop has fresh fish and meat counters, a bakery and a self-service food bar where shoppers can select from smoothies, granola and yoghurts in the morning and sandwiches and salads for lunch and evening meals.

Waitrose managing director Mark Price said: “We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise on the standard of your shopping experience just because a store is smaller and designed for convenience. We want to revive the traditional service typical of convenience shops, which customers value, but within a fresh and contemporary setting.”

Waitrose plans to open a second convenience store in Bristol in the spring.

* Published: 12 December 2008 12:47