Waitrose opening new store in Hale Barns for Autumn 2026

Waitrose is making a multimillion-pound investment in opening a new full-line supermarket in Hale Barns, South Manchester - as part of its ambition to reach more customers across the country.

Currently operating as an Asda supermarket, the shop will undergo a full refit and is scheduled to reopen as a Waitrose in autumn 2026. The 15,000 sq ft Hale Road shop will offer Waitrose's high quality products and Partner-led service to thousands more customers.

Asda employees working at the Hale Barns site will become Waitrose Partners and recruitment will take place for the additional new roles created by the opening. All Partners will receive dedicated training to ensure they deliver the very best customer service.

A well-known shopping destination in the area, the store sits in The Square - the main hub of the village. There is a dedicated car park for easy access and convenient shopping.

David Donovan, Waitrose Regional Manager, said: "Opening in Hale Barns is an exciting opportunity for Waitrose and we'll offer the very best products and customer service for food lovers in the area. As part of this, we're building a brilliant team and we look forward to welcoming them and our customers in the coming months. We'll be sharing more details on our plans soon."

Nationwide investment

The news follows Waitrose's announcement that it is launching into airport travel retail for the first time. Waitrose products will be stocked in four RELAY stores in Heathrow Terminal 2, reaching new customers in a high-traffic location.

The move forms part of Waitrose's strategy to grow through additional channels alongside continued investment in its own shops and online business. Alongside three further shop openings - in Cricklewood, North West London, Chelmer Village, Essex and Ascot, Berkshire - 28 Waitrose shops will undergo refurbishments this year. The retailer is investing £1bn in a multi-year programme to provide the very best products, service and shops for customers nationwide.

Alun Jones, Head of Waitrose Physical Estate, added: "Growing our presence in the north is important to us and the Hale Barns store is a significant next step in our plan. Alongside our stores in Altrincham and Wilmslow, Hale Barns is a great fit for our brand and we're looking forward to serving even more customers in the area. We're investing in new shops and as well as our existing estate as part of our commitment to our customers and the neighbourhoods we operate in."