The green carpet was out this weekend as Waitrose St Neots officially unveiled its new-look store, following a multi-million-pound refurbishment. After five months of work behind the scenes, and plenty of patience from regular shoppers, the branch is back to full strength and looking ready for its next chapter.

It’s a fitting moment for a store that has been part of town life for a long time. Waitrose St Neots celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, and this refresh sets it up well for the decades ahead. The store’s extended family all came out to celebrate the moment, with the eldest of three generations of the same family cutting through the ribbon it was an emotional but proud moment.

What’s new inside

The refurbishment touches almost every part of the shop floor, with a focus on fresh food and service:

• Upgraded service counters. The meat and fish counters have been modernised, with expert Partners on hand to offer preparation advice, cooking tips and recommendations.
• A redesigned bakery. An expanded, refreshed bakery covers everything from daily breakfast staples to speciality artisan favourites.
• New refrigeration. Replacement chilled and frozen cabinets bring improved energy efficiency.
• Electronic shelf labels. Prices now update digitally, freeing Partners from manual changes so they can spend more time helping customers.
• A dedicated John Lewis Click and Collect desk. Faster collections and returns, without having to leave town.

Greener behind the scenes

Some of the biggest changes are ones shoppers won’t see. Planning documents submitted for the works show the store’s end-of-life roof plant being replaced with quieter, more efficient equipment, tucked out of sight behind the existing pitched roofs and the familiar glazed barrel vault. Gas boilers and appliances are being removed in favour of heat pumps that reuse waste heat from the refrigeration system, a welcome step for a site that sits right on the edge of the town’s Conservation Area and close to its Air Quality Management Area. Outside, the store has also had new signage, a new trolley shelter and a refresh of its shopfronts.

A milestone for the team

Branch manager Tim Stanton, who leads a team of 140 Partners, said:

“This is a milestone moment for our store. We are approaching 40 years since we first opened our doors and we’re thrilled to now share a refreshed and improved store with the wonderful St Neots community.”

The first customers through the doors were greeted with a glass of prosecco or orange juice and a commemorative reusable tote bag, with food and drink tastings running through the weekend. The store’s own thank you to shoppers summed up the mood, celebrating a buzzing reopening and the warm welcome back the team received.

Part of a bigger picture

St Neots is one of a number of branches benefiting from Waitrose’s £1 billion, multi-year investment in its shops, which this year includes 28 refurbishments, new supermarkets in Hale Barns and Cricklewood, and its first airport stores at Heathrow. It’s good to see St Neots included in that commitment, and a vote of confidence in the town centre at a time when investment in our high streets matters more than ever.

Pop in

Waitrose St Neots is on Priory Road, a short walk from the Market Square and High Street, with parking right alongside. Whether you’re after something from the new bakery, a chat at the fish counter or just a browse, it’s well worth a visit to see the transformation for yourself.