BYE! BYE! WAITROSE

It's a great pity that Evington is to lose Waitrose. A new store is being built in Harborough Road, Oadby, and the Evington branch will relocate later this year. Waitrose maintains that it's not viable to keep both outlets open, and the new store will provide job security for current staff.

Evington will be deprived of a quality food-store. Many will miss the convenience of Waitrose, particularly those who do their weekly shop and those who pop in on their way home from work. Customers will also miss the friendly staff, many of whom have served loyally for a long time.

Waitrose promises that the Oadby supermarket will offer customers improved shopping and a greater choice of quality products in a store that is three times larger than the Evington branch. Doesn't Oadby have enough “superstores” with Asda and Sainsburys on the doorstep? That's progress for you!

Waitrose aims to ensure that another food retailer takes over the lease of the Ethel Road premises. That's fine – but it won't be Waitrose.