Waitrose to open first shop in Bristol in the spring

Waitrose will open its second convenience shop in the UK in Clifton Pavilion, Bristol.   The supermarket chain has agreed a long lease with CBRE Investors for the 7,000 sq ft vacant former Fresh & Wild shop on the Queens Road.   Waitrose will start work on the conversion in the New Year with an anticipated opening in spring 2009.   The new shop will be the second Waitrose convenience store in the country with the first opening in Nottingham on 11 December. A further two trials of the format are also expected to open by spring next year.   The supermarket continues to build up its presence in the south west. It recently opened its fourth shop in Crewkerne, Somerset, and last week announced plans to open a new 21,000 sq ft shop in Weston-super-Mare in summer 2009.   Nigel Keen, director of development, Waitrose, said: “We know there’s a real passion for quality food here and welcome the opportunity to bring Waitrose to Bristol for the first time.   “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.   “Unlike other convenience stores, there will be a strong focus on specialist service counters and fresh produce.  This will include specialist cheeses, a fresh meat and fish counter and freshly baked bread.”   annabel.dixon@rbi.co.uk