Waitrose supermarkets for capital

Waitrose is opening two new supermarkets in Edinburgh

Supermarket chain is to move north of the border for the first time with two new stores for Edinburgh.

Waitrose supermarkets are to open in the city's Morningside and Comely Bank in June this year.

Traditionally Waitrose outlets have been concentrated in London and the Home Counties.

A spokesman for Waitrose, the food arm of the John Lewis Partnership, said the move to the capital was part of a strategy to become a national brand.

Steven Esom, Waitrose managing director, said the acquisition of a former Morrisons store in Morningside and a Somerfield store in Comely Bank would bring the total number of Waitrose food shops to 179 across the UK.

This is a landmark in the Waitrose history and we are confident the Waitrose offer will prove popular in Scotland Steven Esom Waitrose managing director

He said: "We are delighted to be announcing the opening of these two sites in Scotland.

"This is a landmark in the Waitrose history and we are confident the Waitrose offer will prove popular in Scotland.

"Today's announcement is not only a further demonstration of our ambition to grow the business, but is in response to numerous requests for Waitrose branches in these areas and we are delighted to be bringing a different level of quality food and service to Scottish customers."

Mr Esom added that the expansion would build on the 25 stores acquired from Morrisons in 2004/2006 and continue Waitrose's drive north.

John Lewis Department Stores have been established in Scotland for 33 years and the partnership currently has stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

The existing employees of the two shops will be offered the opportunity to become partners in the business.

Ron Hewitt, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: "We are pleased that Waitrose have opted to bring their brand of quality and freshness to Scotland.

"We are impressed that they have selected two Edinburgh sites to launch their presence here.

"This development represents a considerable investment on the part of Waitrose and the John Lewis partnership.

"It's an acknowledgement of the significance of Edinburgh as a centre of retailing excellence."