John Lewis has announced plans to open a 45,000 sq ft at home store in Horsham as early as autumn 2015. The shop, adjoining Waitrose in the new West End development owned by Westrock and the British Airways Pension Fund, will be the third co-located site for a John Lewis at home and Waitrose supermarket. The first combined scheme opened in Ipswich in October 2012 and plans for a second co-location in Basingstoke were announced earlier this year.
The two shops represent a £11m investment by the John Lewis Partnership. John Lewis will create 125 new jobs, split across full and part time roles. Waitrose currently employs 120 Partners locally and will be creating a further 50 roles as part of the development, meaning the total number of new jobs will be 175.
Andy Street, MD of John Lewis, says: "We are very pleased to announce plans for our third John Lewis at home and Waitrose venture. The significant investment and job creation represents a real vote of confidence for Horsham and we look forward to becoming part of the local community.'
Robin Barton, development director of Westrock said: 'We have been working for a number of years to ensure that the West End of Horsham enhances the town's retail offer. We are delighted that John Lewis at home will open alongside the new Waitrose in the Westrock development. We know from the consultation that we have undertaken locally that this was exactly what residents of Horsham wanted."
John Lewis at home Horsham will focus on furniture, furnishing accessories, homeware, home and electrical technology, nursery and travel goods, selling over two floors. It will also include a selection of skincare. Waitrose Horsham will include a bakery, meat, fish, cheese and deli counters and ranges such as essential Waitrose, Heston from Waitrose and Duchy Originals from Waitrose.
