THE opening of a brand new Waitrose store at Michaelwood services on the M5 southbound has created eight new jobs.

It is one of six new Waitrose stores being opened at Welcome Break sites across the country over the next few months.

The shop means Waitrose now operates from 24 Welcome Break sites.

It will be open 365 days a year, from 7am until 10pm and will offer a choice of more than 1,800 Waitrose products, including convenience foods such as sandwiches, snacks and drinks and a growing number of everyday groceries including milk, bread and eggs.

All non-management employees at the shop, will become Partners, or co-owners, in the John Lewis Partnership.

This will entitle them to a say in how the business is run and a share in the retailer’s annual profits. This year saw all existing employees receive 17 per cent of their annual wage in bonus.

Rod Mckie, CEO of Welcome Break, said: “The relationship between Welcome Break and Waitrose continues to go from strength to strength, and the store at our Michaelwood South services is just the latest in our on-going expansion plan, which is creating a total of 120 jobs across the country.

"There is already a store on the north side of the carriageway which has proved a real success, so we believe this new site will prove very popular with our visitors looking to pick up superior quality food as they head south.”

Waitrose Business to Business director, David Morton, said: “Our partnership with Welcome Break has proved very successful so far and we’ve received great feedback from our customers.

"This new store will offer visitors a wide range of delicious food products, whether they want something to eat immediately, or to save for later.”