Chiswick Waitrose To Close Meat., Fish And Cheese Counters

Changes on the way, including a new sushi bar

Waitrose in Chiswick is to have a refurbishment which will very likely result in the closure of its fresh meat, fish and cheese counters. This is expected to take place later this year.

The store is thought to be introducing a sushi making area, similar to that recently brought in by Sainsbury's and some other Waitrose branches. The sushi counters are operated independently.

The closure of the counters will mean an increase in pre-packaged meats, fish and cheese. This is somewhat ironic, given that the local Waitrose recently agreed that customers could use their own containers for products, and they have agreed to stop using unrecyclable coffee cups in a bid to curb the use of plastic packaging.

Asked about the reports that the counters selling meat, fish and cheese were to be removed, a spokesperson for Waitrose head office said; "We are currently working on plans to make improvements to the shop later in the year so these are still evolving."

He said he could confirm that the works certainly wouldn't result in job losses.

It is expected that the store will attempt to do the work at night, and avoid having to close outright for business - it is likely to result in a remodelling of the interior with the introduction of new self-service cashier points towards the front.

Following a profits warning, Waitrose has announced changes across the UK.

Two Little Waitrose stores will close in Manchester, one in Birmingham and one in central London.

It will also shut its supermarket in Camden in London.

July 3, 2018