Waitrose has announced that it will be opening a new supermarket in Hale Barns, south of Manchester, making it one of the first full-line Waitrose stores to open in eight years. Currently operating as an Asda supermarket, the shop is set to undergo a full refit and will reopen as a Waitrose later this year.
The 15,000 sq ft shop in the Altrincham area will offer Waitrose’s high-quality products and Partner-led service to thousands more customers. A well-known shopping destination in the area, the new Waitrose store will sit in The Square – the main hub of the village, which includes a dedicated car park.
Asda employees working at the Hale Barns site will become Waitrose Partners, and recruitment will take place for the additional new roles created by the opening.
David Donovan, Waitrose Regional Manager, said: “Opening in Hale Barns is an exciting opportunity for Waitrose and we’ll offer the very best products and customer service for food lovers in the area. As part of this, we’re building a brilliant team and we look forward to welcoming them and our customers in the coming months. We’ll be sharing more details on our plans soon.”
When and where will Waitrose open in Hale Barns?
Waitrose Hale Barns is scheduled to open in autumn 2026 at The Square, Hale Road, Hale Barns, Altrincham, WA15 8ST.
Nationwide investment for Waitrose
The news of Waitrose opening in Hale Barns follows the retailer’s announcement that it is launching into airport travel retail for the first time, by stocking four RELAY stores in Heathrow Terminal 2. The move forms part of Waitrose’s strategy to grow through additional channels alongside continued investment in its own shops and online business.
Alongside three further shop openings – in Cricklewood, North West London, Chelmer Village, Essex and Ascot, Berkshire – 28 Waitrose shops will undergo refurbishments this year. The retailer says it is investing £1bn in a multi-year programme to provide the very best products, service and shops for customers nationwide.
Alun Jones, Head of Waitrose Physical Estate, added: “Growing our presence in the north is important to us, and the Hale Barns store is a significant next step in our plan. Alongside our stores in Altrincham and Wilmslow, Hale Barns is a great fit for our brand, and we’re looking forward to serving even more customers in the area. We’re investing in new shops as well as our existing estate as part of our commitment to our customers and the neighbourhoods we operate in.”