Garden centre retailer Dobbies has opened a Waitrose food hall at one of its Merseyside stores. Tony McDonough reports

Garden centre chain Dobbies has opened a new Waitrose food hall at its Southport outlet.

Southport is one of more than 45 Dobbies food halls across the UK where Waitrose food and drinks are due to be launched. It is bringing the supermarket brand to 20 new towns and cities.

Located at Bentham’s Way, the new outlet will offer a range of food, drink, grocery products, including the Essential Waitrose range.

Andy Tyas, General Manager at Dobbies Southport, said: “The food hall at our store is very popular and the team is really positive about Waitrose being part of the shopping experience for customers.

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“Our existing partners will continue to be part of offering, including Lindt, Whittards, the Cook range, as well as our fresh bakery to-go. Waitrose products will be an excellent addition.”

The first Dobbies foodhall to launch with a range of Waitrose products was in Edinburgh. The stores in Ashford, Aylesbury and Milngavie launch on the same day as Southport.