City store set to close

WAITROSE has announced its Cardiff city centre store, one of six due to close this year, will cease trading on June 20.

The manager of the Queen Street store, above, described the news as “extremely sad” and cited “commercial reasons” for the decision.

It was announced in February the store would be one of those to close and a sign from store manager Steve Scott was seen in the shop’s window on Saturday.

It read: “After informing you earlier this year that we are closing our Queen Street store due to commercial reasons, we can now confirm that we will finish trading here at 4pm on June 20.

“Although we will be extremely sad to leave, we hope that you will be able to continue to shop with Waitrose.”

The sign directs customers to the company’s nearest store, “just over six miles away”, in Croescadarn Close, Pontprennau, adding: “Our shop there is significantly larger, offering a much wider choice of food, drink and services, as well as free parking.

“We also offer a home delivery service.”

In February the company announced it had earmarked six stores to close this year, with plans to remove a level of management.

It said it was in consultation with a total of 498 staff at the six stores – including 34 employees at the Queen Street branch, which only opened in 2011.

It was also announced the company is planning to open eight shops this year, creating 600 new jobs, but none of the new stores is in Wales.

The message from Mr Scott adds: “On behalf of myself and our team here, I would like to again express our sincere gratitude for your understanding and custom.”

In February Ben Stimson, Waitrose’s retail director, said: “We’d always try hard to avoid closing branches but we review how our shops are doing. We’ll be consulting with our branch Partners on these proposed closures.”