Overview
- Waitrose, which announced plans on Tuesday, will close the 15,000 sq ft Asda in Hale Barns and carry out a full refit to reopen the site as a Waitrose in autumn 2026.
- The retailer also confirmed a planned new store in Cricklewood of about 18,000 sq ft as part of the same expansion this autumn.
- The moves form part of a wider £1 billion investment that transformed 23 stores in 2025 and aims to complete 28 refurbishments in 2026 while adding new distribution capacity in 2027 and a flagship in Brabazon, Bristol in 2028.
- Asda said it reviewed its estate and told Hale Barns customers to use nearby Altrincham or Wythenshawe stores or shop online, and local reporting notes the Hale Barns site was recently upgraded with a café, parcel collection and roughly 160 parking spaces.
- Waitrose is also rolling out tighter loss‑prevention measures, including locked 'smart cabinets' for high‑end wine across about 360 stores, a change that could alter in‑store layouts, shopping experience and local grocery competition.