Key Points
- Waitrose has opened a new supermarket at The Square in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester.
- The 15,000 sq ft store opened on 12 November 2026, according to Place North West.
- It is staffed by 76 employees and includes meat, fish and sushi counters, a dry-aged beef cabinet, specialist cheese section and in-store patisserie.
- The shop also provides click-and-collect services for John Lewis, Waitrose Entertaining and Waitrose Cellar.
- The unit previously operated as a Booths from 2015 until 2024, then as an Asda until July 2026.
- Waitrose said the opening followed a multi-million-pound refurbishment and forms part of its wider £1bn investment programme.
- The programme includes refurbishing 28 Waitrose stores across the UK, alongside new store openings.
- Waitrose regional manager Freddie Sackey-Addo described the site as a “destination store” designed around food.
- Waitrose already operates sizeable stores in Cheadle Hulme and Altrincham.
- The company is seeking further expansion opportunities in suburbs or town centres with 50 to 250 parking spaces.
Manchester (Manchester Mirror) November 2026 — Waitrose has opened a new 15,000 sq ft supermarket at The Square, becoming the third grocery retailer to occupy the unit since 2015. As reported by Julia Hatmaker of Place North West, the branch opened on 12 November and is staffed by 76 employees.
The opening follows a multi-million-pound refurbishment of the former Booths and Asda unit. It is part of Waitrose’s wider £1bn investment programme, which the company says will include the refurbishment of 28 stores nationwide as well as a series of new openings.
What Does the New Waitrose Offer?
The Hale Barns branch includes meat, fish and sushi counters, alongside a dry-aged beef cabinet, specialist cheese section and in-store patisserie. According to Place North West, the store will also operate as a click-and-collect point for John Lewis, Waitrose Entertaining and Waitrose Cellar.
Waitrose regional manager Freddie Sackey-Addo said the store had been designed around a “genuine passion for food”. He cited the work of partners on the counters and bakery, as well as the shop’s curated wine selection and fresh fruit and vegetable offer.
As reported by Place North West, Sackey-Addo said:
“We hope our customers treat this as their neighbourhood shop, whether they’re grabbing a quick lunch, looking for advice on what to have for dinner, or discovering something new during their regular weekly shop.”
He added:
“Hale Barns is a great location and we can’t wait to meet all our new customers.”
Why Has the Site Changed Hands?
The supermarket unit at The Square first opened in 2015 as a Booths. Place North West reported that Booths left the site in 2024, with Asda taking over shortly afterwards before departing in July 2026.
Waitrose is therefore the third supermarket operator to occupy the 15,000 sq ft premises. The company’s decision to invest in the location follows the refurbishment of the former store unit.
How Does It Fit Waitrose’s Plans?
The Hale Barns opening is part of a broader expansion and investment strategy by Waitrose. The company plans to refurbish 28 stores across the UK and pursue further openings, according to Place North West.
Waitrose is also seeking potential future locations in suburbs or town centres. The retailer is looking for sites with between 50 and 250 parking spaces.
The company already has sizeable stores in Greater Manchester at Cheadle Hulme and Altrincham. The Hale Barns branch adds another location to that regional presence.
What Has Waitrose Said?
Waitrose regional manager Freddie Sackey-Addo said the Hale Barns store had been designed to serve as a destination for food shoppers. He highlighted the supermarket’s counters, bakery, wine selection and fresh produce.
As reported by Place North West, he said: “This destination store has been designed around a genuine passion for food – from our partners working on the counters and bakery to the curated wine selection and fresh fruit, vegetables and more.”
The company’s comments position the branch as both a convenience location for routine shopping and a larger food destination for customers seeking specialist products.
What Happens Next?
The opening marks the latest stage in the redevelopment of the long-vacant and repeatedly relet supermarket unit at The Square. Waitrose has begun trading from the site following its refurbishment, while its wider investment programme continues across the UK.
The company has not announced any further specific Greater Manchester openings in the reporting. However, Place North West said Waitrose was actively soliciting offers for potential future sites in suburbs or town centres.
Background of the Development
The Square’s supermarket unit opened in 2015 as a Booths store. Booths vacated the site in 2024, after which Asda took over the premises before leaving in July 2026.
Waitrose’s arrival followed a multi-million-pound refurbishment of the 15,000 sq ft unit. The investment forms part of the retailer’s wider £1bn programme, which includes 28 store refurbishments nationally and additional openings.
The Hale Barns branch is the third supermarket to occupy the site, following Booths and Asda. It joins Waitrose’s existing Greater Manchester stores in Cheadle Hulme and Altrincham.
Prediction: How Could It Affect Hale Barns Shoppers?
For Hale Barns shoppers, the opening could increase choice in the local grocery market, particularly for customers seeking fresh counters, specialist cheese, sushi, bakery products and premium food ranges. The store’s click-and-collect services for John Lewis, Waitrose Entertaining and Waitrose Cellar may also make it a more convenient collection point for residents.
For nearby retailers, the arrival of a third operator at the same unit may intensify competition in the area. The store’s 76 employees could also provide local employment, although the report does not state how many roles are newly created or transferred from previous operators.
For Waitrose, the branch’s performance may help determine whether the company continues to pursue smaller suburban and town-centre locations. Its stated interest in sites with 50 to 250 parking spaces suggests that accessibility and customer convenience remain central to its expansion approach.
