Waitrose is set to take over the Asda store at Hale Barns Square - bringing the upmarket supermarket chain to a site it was originally meant to anchor nearly two decades ago.
Altrincham Today can exclusively reveal that Waitrose will move into the 15,000 sq ft store on Hale Road, which has been occupied by Asda since May 2024.
The store will undergo a full refit before reopening as a Waitrose in autumn 2026.
It will become the third supermarket to occupy the unit since the Square was redeveloped and opened in 2015.
David Donovan, Waitrose Regional Manager, told Altrincham Today: "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."
Asda employees at the store will transfer across and become Waitrose Partners, with additional new roles also being created. All staff will receive dedicated training ahead of the opening.
Waitrose was originally earmarked as the anchor tenant for the Hale Barns Square development, but pulled out in December 2008, going on to open a store on an alternative site at Stamford Brook in Broadheath.
When the Square eventually opened in April 2015, it was northern supermarket chain Booths that took the anchor slot. But Booths struggled to attract the expected footfall and, after nine years, announced its departure in February 2024, saying it "cannot see a future where the store will be profitable" under its model.
Asda acquired the property lease and, following a refurbishment, opened its Hale Barns store on 28th May 2024, investing a seven-figure sum in the fit-out.
Now, barely two years later, the revolving door at Hale Barns Square is turning again.
But Waitrose - which already operates stores in Broadheath, Knutsford and Wilmslow - may prove a far more natural fit for Hale Barns than either of its predecessors.
Alun Jones, Waitrose's Head of Physical Estate, said: "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."
The opening forms part of a £1 billion multi-year investment programme, with 28 Waitrose shops undergoing refurbishment this year alongside new openings in Cricklewood, Chelmer Village and Ascot.
Locals will also hope the arrival helps to regenerate the village, which suffered another blow earlier this month with the closure of Costa Coffee after 11 years.
