Waitrose will open its first railway-based store at London King’s Cross station, creating up to 60 new jobs.
The Little Waitrose branch will feature a bake-off oven, and expects to sell hot foods such as wraps and pastries.
Waitrose director of development Nigel Keen said: “This announcement underlines the flexibility of our formats today and sets out our ambition to take the Waitrose brand to new customers. The convenience sector will be integral to our growth and opening in King’s Cross Station feels like a natural step for our business as we’ve received so many letters asking us to open stores in stations.”
The opening will complement the 21,000sq ft Waitrose supermarket and cookery school, which is currently being built around the station. The 3,000sq ft cookery school will form part of the 67-acre King’s Cross site.
The cookery school will offer paid-for courses from ‘Bread Making for Beginners’ to ‘The Art of Michelin Star Cookery’.
Waitrose also will work with Camden Council to provide a series of free sessions throughout the year for schools and other priority groups from the local area.
The free sessions aim to develop the culinary skills of young people by teaching basic cooking skills. The sessions will cover nutrition, healthy eating and balanced diets.
Mark Price, managing director of Waitrose, said: “As a food retailer, we have a responsibility to help educate and inspire people, not only when it comes to their weekly shop but also when it comes to creating and enjoying good food. It’s fantastic to give even more people the opportunity to develop their culinary skills.”
Waitrose has been working to establish itself in the convenience travel market by opening 28 stores at Welcome Break service stations in the past five years and supplying food on the Eurostar since last year.
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