Asda has confirmed the closure date of its Hale Barns supermarket in Greater Manchester, with rival Waitrose set to take over the premises. The 11,000sq ft store on Hale Road will shut on Friday, July 31, 2026, just two years after opening.
Waitrose to Open in Autumn
Waitrose will open in the same location in autumn 2026, though an exact date has not yet been announced. The move is part of Waitrose's expansion in the north of England.
David Donovan, Waitrose Regional Manager, 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."
Alun Jones, Waitrose's Head of 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."
Asda's Statement and Staff Transition
An Asda spokesperson thanked the community for their support, saying: "Like all major supermarkets, we regularly review our store estate to ensure it continues to meet customer needs and remains commercially sustainable. 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."
Asda staff at the store will transfer to Waitrose and become Waitrose Partners. Additional roles are being created, and staff are receiving training ahead of the opening.
Financial Context
Asda has cut around 7,500 jobs over the past year as part of efforts to improve its finances. The reductions come as Asda faces interest costs of more than £730 million on debt accumulated after its 2021 takeover.
