Next Tuesday we expect to hear that Waitrose is given planning approval to build a new store on Victoria Road in Chelmsford.
The new Waitrose food superstore will be on the site of the old Royal Mail sorting office, which provides 24,000 square feet store with car parking. As well as the store there will be 37 apartments and new business units to help bolster the local housing stock and give small businesses with new premises close to the town centre. The Islamic community centre on Regina Road will also be renovated.
The new Waitrose will only start to be developed after the Royal Mail move to Montrose Road, which is due to occur in 2014. The new Waitrose will be open in 2015 if everything goes to plan.
Waitrose – Supporting Chelmsford
Waitrose have announced that if they open shop in Chelmsford they will help to support the local community. They plan to donate £12,000 a year to local charities and projects through the Waitrose Community Matters scheme.
The new Waitrose in Chelmsford will mean that Waitrose will have 10 stores across Essex. To day the current 9 Waitrose stores have donated around £280,000 to over 800 causes in the county.
Waitrose also takes pride in the fact that it supports local growers and suppliers. Wicks Manor Bacon & Sausages, Wilkins & Sons Tiptree Preserves and Sandyford Vineyard have already been named as new local providers for Waitrose in Chelmsford.
Update: This week Chelmsford City planners approved the new Waitrose development. The old Royal Mail building will be demolished to make way for the new development.
