Waitrose work in Evesham begins

Work has started on Evesham’s brand new Waitrose store.

Representatives from Wychavon District Council, Waitrose and Midas Retail Limited were on site on 25 May to oversee the start of the development, which it is hoped will see the store open soon after the work is completed in March 2018.   

The new 28,145 sq. ft store at Merstow Green in Evesham – on the old Evesham Fire Station site – is being constructed by Midas Retail Limited for Wychavon District Council, with Waitrose as the tenant.

Vic Allison, Deputy Managing Director at Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re delighted to appoint Midas to construct this important store for us, which will see the prestigious brand Waitrose coming to Evesham. We’ve already seen the benefits that having a Waitrose store in town brings from the impact of the Droitwich scheme, and we’re confident Evesham will benefit in a similar way.”

Waitrose Development Surveyor, Jonathan Banham, said: "This is another significant milestone in achieving our long-held aspiration to open in Evesham. While we appreciate there will be a period of disruption with a project of this scale, we are looking forward to delivering a quality food store that will provide our very latest offer and ensure we make a positive contribution to the town's future."

David Rowe, the Retail Director at Midas Retail Limited, part of the Midas Group, added: “Midas Retail is delighted to be starting work on this important project in Evesham for Wychavon District Council. It is also great to be working with Waitrose again on another exciting new store.”

As with the Droitwich Waitrose store, Wychavon District Council is funding the building of the store in Evesham, which the supermarket chain will lease back from the Council and pay a commercial rent on. Wychavon will retain ownership of the building.

Once open, the store is expected to create up to 150 jobs.