One of Waitrose’s most iconic supermarkets has re-opened with a new layout and dedicated doughnut stand.
Customers can once again visit the Waitrose John Barnes in Finchley Road from tomorrow morning (August 21).
At a launch event held this evening, some of the store’s most devoted customers were given an exclusive look at the supermarket, alongside Ham and High.
Regulars will first notice the new layout – the tills have been moved to the middle of the store, making way for an enhanced fruit and vegetable section.
Deputy Manager Conor O’Sullivan, who has worked at the supermarket for the last two years, was also keen to point out the new “high tech lights”.
These brighten and dim depending on footfall in each area of the store, with the aim of saving electricity and improving Waitrose’s environmental footprint.
There are also now two, rather than one, dry aged meat cabinets – Conor recommended trying the ribs.
Next, near the back wall, customers will find a hot chicken counter, with grab-and-go bags that will end the need to queue for these products.
The new cheese counter nearby will also be self-serve as well as being staffed by a cheesemonger, so customers can choose between a quick pick-up or a more tailored service.
Other innovations include a dedicated parmesan station and a drop box for John Lewis returns.
All aisles are now wider than before, and are clearly numbered to improve navigation.
Made in-branch baguettes, salads and breakfast pots are also available, alongside food from the sushi counter.
Conor explained that these are all now placed close to the Tube station entrance to the store to make it easier for customers to quickly pop in and out.
He said: “Particularly for the lunch customers, everything they might want is near the front, to make it really easy to just come in and quickly get a few bits.”
Nearby lies the enhanced beer and wine area (Conor’s “favourite part of the shop”), where all drinks on sale are fully chilled.
Conor said: "Before, people were grabbing a drink before going out or going out to sit on the Heath on a nice day, but the drinks weren’t chilled. It’s a gamechanger.”
The largest selection of fine wines out of any Waitrose store in the country can also be found at the John Barnes store.
The coffee station – where myWaitrose card holders can brew one free coffee every day – now has an oak milk option, as well as semi-skimmed milk.
A John Lewis offer is available at the far end of the store, including gift wrap and haberdashery sections.
Conor said: “It might seem like a big change for our customers, but it will definitely work better.”
Lisa Jewell and Jascha Gordon were two regular customers who came down to check out the refurbished store.
They said that they were particularly impressed by the Crosstown doughnut station, the first of its kind in a Waitrose shop.
Lisa explained that she started coming to the supermarket when she lived in Kilburn, and that when she moved house, “part of the draw” was being even closer to the Finchley Road Waitrose.
She said: “The doughnuts have caught my eye, particularly because we have teenage daughters who are doughnut-obsessed.
“It looks amazing, it all looks so much more organised and spacious and clean.”
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