Waitrose customers visiting their local supermarket in Hall Green expressed sadness and disappointment as it prepared to shut down. For some, it may have been a few years, but for many, it has been the place for a weekly shop for decades.
It was first announced in October that the Waitrose on Stratford Road would close its doors this month. Last week, BirminghamLive reported that the store would close a day earlier than planned.
The store first opened in 1971 and the closure will be a big loss to the area. This means that the nearest Waitrose for residents is now in Solihull.
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Mother and son Anna and Liam Dodd have visited the Waitrose store in Hall Green at least once a week for the past 15 years. Living in Moseley, the store was a convenient location for the family and they spoke to BirminghamLive about the closure.
Anna said: “It’s the end of an era. It’s weird. Even if we were just passing by, we would pop in to buy something. Even if it was just a newspaper.
“There’s a feeling of sadness and I think that’s the reaction from most people, to be honest.”
Liam added: “It was a bit of a shock when I heard the news. I thought to myself, what a shame. This Waitrose was so convenient, all within easy access and not too far away from Moseley. Whenever we visited, the staff were always friendly and knew where the goods were. It was small and compact, a nice supermarket.
The Hall Green Waitrose on the final day of trade
(Image: BirminghamLive/Robson McCallister)
“It’s a shame to see it go. Now there’s going to be nothing here.”
Noel Dunne moved into Hall Green four years ago and shopped at the Waitrose ever since. Visiting up to four times a week, Noel revealed that he was in the supermarket on the day staff found out.
He said: “I was here on the day when they closed the store and said it wouldn’t be open until midday. That was because they were telling the staff, they were stunned. You can’t help but feel a big sadness. Some people have been working and shopping here for over 40 years.
“It’s really disappointing. I know Waitrose has to make money but I feel that more could have been done to keep this place alive. This is going to have a huge impact on the Hall Green community. Even though Solihull isn’t far, it is a trek for people who want something on their doorstep.
“Not everyone is comfortable shopping online and you don’t get the same level of discounts. It will make it more challenging for the customer base.”
David Hulston and Colin Coley are two Hall Green residents who expressed amazement when they heard that their local supermarket was closing down. David admitted some disappointment that the supermarket was limited in stock ahead of its closure.
He said: “I came in here yesterday as well. There was nothing in there then. I was amazed when I first heard the news. I shall miss it, I’ve been shopping here since the nineties.
“I thought if there was a problem with it being profitable, they could have knocked down the nearby units and turned it into a bigger supermarket. It’s all about money.
Colin added: “I’m very sad. I know Solihull has a better car park, and this one here is like the dark side of the moon. The trollies are knackered and apparently the roof needed doing.
“But the change is somewhat of a hassle for me. I’ve got to drive somewhere else now.
“This Waitrose had a lovely cooked meat counter and they just don’t have that in the Solihull location.”
A customer who wished to remain anonymous said: “To put it mildly, I don’t think it has been a very good ending. There is no meat, no fish and no eggs. There’s nothing and it’s disappointing. I said to staff that Waitrose saying they’re closing today is a bit of an exaggeration. There’s nothing in here, it’s literally just empty shelves and the blinds are down.”