Waitrose store opens in Southwick

The second Waitrose to open in seven years has come to Southwick, West Sussex

Shoppers have welcomed a new Waitrose in Southwick, the supermarket's second new store to open in seven years.

Little Waitrose, in Southwick Square, opened on Thursday morning with a ribbon cutting and the first customers were given bouquets of flowers.

Businesses nearby said it is a "great asset" for the area, while shoppers said it was a surprise to see Waitrose in their village.

The supermarket said Southwick is a "great location" to open its first new store this year.

The first customers in the shop were Henry, 11, and his dad Justin.

"It's exciting and Waitrose is a nice shop and has a nice selection of items", Henry told BBC Radio Sussex.

"They handed us a beautiful bouquet of flowers which really touched us."

Justin added: "Henry already has his pocket money lined up.

"All the shops are looking really smart along here now, it looks really good."

Justin, left, and his son Henry were the first customers at the new shop

Southwick resident Ricky Brian said: "It's something different for the square, I can see it doing quite well.

"I've lived here all my life, I remember when it was Woolworths. I didn't think we'd get a Waitrose, we're going up in the world."

Waitrose is planning to open 100 new convenience stores over five years and said it is investing £1bn into new shops and investments.

The Southwick store has added 22 jobs to the area.

Businesses in the area were happy with the new addition to Southwick Square

John Burtenshaw, co-owner of Southwick Square Meats, said: "I think it's a great asset to the square, I'm looking forward to people coming and supporting the local shops.

"I think it's the best thing that's happened since Woolworths closed. It's a nice surprise."

Elizabeth Hornby, who works at Sandwich in the Square, said: "It will bring a lot more people here.

"I didn't expect a Waitrose to come to Southwick Square but I think it's good for the area."

Newly appointed shop manager, Lauren Eastman, said: "Southwick is a great location for us and we cannot wait to become part of the local community."