Waitrose will open the doors to customers in Malmesbury on Thursday, August 7.

The branch, off Malmesbury by-pass, has created 170 jobs and the new shop will provide shoppers with meat, fish, and cheese counters, as well as a bakery and wine department.

The Waitrose Delivery Service will also be available in Malmesbury, providing shoppers with the option to have their purchases delivered at a convenient time. 

All employees have become partners in the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest and oldest example of employee ownership. 

Partners will be entitled to exclusive benefits, and a share in profits in the form of an annual bonus.

There will also be two apprentices at the branch. The scheme lasts 12 months and will see the apprentices spend three months working in different departments.

At the end of the year, they will receive a Level 2 Retail Apprenticeship qualification.

When the branch officially opens its doors, it will also be launching a number of initiatives to help support the local community in Malmesbury.

Every month, it will donate £1,000 to local charities and groups nominated by customers as part of its Community Matters scheme.

Staff will also provide 250 hours of their time each year to causes through the Waitrose Partner Volunteering programme.

Fiona Orwin, Waitrose Malmesbury branch manager, said: “Work is now well underway, and we are very happy to announce an opening date for the new branch.

"We have wanted to open a store in Malmesbury for a long time now and we are looking forward to becoming part of the local community in August.”

There are now 319 Waitrose branches throughout the UK and Waitrose has announced plans to open in Egham, Chester and Bagshot later this year, with other locations yet to be confirmed.