FAQ about the Waitrose refurbishment

Waitrose sent a FAQ of sorts about the closure and refurbishment to the BA which the BEO sent out by email:

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Waitrose refurbishment

Following concern from some residents about the imminent refurbishment of the local Waitrose, the BA spoke to the manager and project manager to find out more and seek some reassurances. They said the following:

1. Both residents and office workers are important customers to them and they intend to continue to cater for both groups (and any other category of customer).
2. Waitrose currently sell 23,000 lines and the refurbishment will not lower this number of lines stocked;"the number of lines stocked will increase following the refurbishment. Customers will still be able to complete a full shop, as they did before the refurbishment."
3. They do plan to close the patisserie and the delicatessen counters. This is because these counters are used by a very small proportion of their customers and produce relatively few sales (less than it costs them to run the counters).
4. Most of the items currently sold on those counters will continue to be sold in packs of varying sizes, as they are currently.
5. They are enlarging their stocks of breads and cakes, even though they are shutting the patisserie counter.
6. They are introducing a service counter selling prepared foods (not just sushi).
7. They are building a customer toilet, following customer feedback since opening.
8. The Barbican Waitrose is the first store to offer a number of new concepts from Waitrose, which will be rolled out throughout the UK.
9. They are making the changes because people's shopping habits – and what they want – have changed. They also pointed out that the store has not had any refurbishment since Waitrose took it over 10 years ago, and it needs bringing up to date.
10. The opening hours will remain the same; the prices will stay in line with other Waitrose stores across the country, and will not change because of the refurbishment.
11. The manager apologises for the disruption caused by the closures and hopes to welcome his regular customers back on 17 November. There is always a duty manager in the store for customers to talk to if they have questions or issues.