WAITROSE GIVEN GREEN LIGHT TO OPEN FOOD SHOP IN SOUTHPORT

WAITROSE, food shops of the John Lewis Partnership, has today been given the green light by the Office of Fair Trading to acquire 19 new shops, including one in Southport.

The decision marks a major breakthrough by the business, which is well known in the South of England for selling high quality food at competitive prices with a commitment to high standards of service. Waitrose has been keen to expand outside its current trading area for many years.

The shop on Tulketh Street, is one of 19 supermarkets, which Waitrose had agreed to buy, subject to OFT approval, following Morrisons take over of the supermarket chain Safeway.

A programme will now be drawn up for the conversion of all 19 shops, which will be trading under the Waitrose brand by Christmas.

Waitrose is currently recruiting for partners, as all John Lewis employees are known, to staff the new shop.

Waitrose is investing heavily in the new shop and when work is complete it will offer everything customers would expect in a state-of-the-art supermarket specialising in fresh foods.

Mark Price, Director of Selling and Marketing at Waitrose, said:- "Today's OFT decision means we can forge ahead with our plans to bring local people a totally new shopping experience."

In preparation for the new store opening Waitrose has already begun seeking out high quality foods produced within the local area. Waitrose has a strong track record of working with small producers and is committed to sourcing products from areas where it trades.

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CLAIM YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME
Appeal for performers to appear at the River Festival

LIVERPOOL Maritime Museum is looking for talented young people, individuals and groups to perform in Fifteen minutes of Fame at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on Saturday 19 June 2004. 

Fifteen minutes of Fame has taken place at the Maritime Museum for the last five years in conjunction with the Mersey River Festival, giving hundreds of young people the chance to unveil hidden talents and perform. 

The museum said:- "If you are an individual performer or part of a group which has a choir, band, orchestra or drama background we would love to hear from you. 

Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate any dance groups due to the layout of the space we are using."

The performances will take place in the museum theatre between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Saturday 19 June 2004 with each performance slot lasting around fifteen minutes.

Please call Karen Charnock at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on 0151 478 4412 or email karen.charnock@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk to book you place or find out more about this event. 

No Comply... "a skacore outfit playing a combination of skacore, punk and dub!"

NO COMPLY plus Special Guests are taking to the stage at the Carling Academy in Liverpool, on Tuesday 22 June. Tickets are £5.00 in advance.

Call the box office on:- 0870 771 2000 (24hr) or ring the customer information line on:- 0905 020 3999 today to avoid disappointment.