Asda has confirmed the closure of its Hale Barns supermarket in Altrincham, which will shut its doors on Friday, July 31, only two years after opening. The 11,000 sq ft store's closure was announced in May, with Waitrose expected to occupy the site from autumn this year.
Waitrose Investment and Expansion
Waitrose's takeover is part of a major £1bn investment involving 28 refurbishments and expansions across convenience, neighbourhood and supermarket formats. An Asda spokesperson said: "Like all major supermarkets, we regularly review our store estate to ensure it continues to meet customer needs and remains commercially sustainable."
The spokesperson added: "We'd like to thank our colleagues and the local community at our Hale Barns store and reassure customers they can continue to access Asda's great value and products at our nearby Altrincham and Wythenshawe superstores, or online at Asda.com."
Local Response
Waitrose Regional Manager David Donovan previously told Altrincham Today: "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." Tina Mitchell, Waitrose Retail Director, added: "As the 'Home of Food Lovers,' our growth is shaped by adapting to how our customers live and shop. Today's consumers no longer rely on a single weekly trip to the supermarket; grocery shopping is an omnichannel experience."
Mitchell continued: "Backed by our multi-year £1 billion investment plan, our ambition is to be wherever our customers want us. We are looking for high-footfall, 'right size, right location' sites nationwide to make it easier than ever for people to experience our uncompromising standards, quality and expert Partner service."
