Enfield, UK: Waitrose is weighing up whether to close a delivery warehouse in Enfield later this year as a result of potential rent increases. The warehouse, which handles online deliveries, opened in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic when there was a jump in online grocery shopping demand.
According to Retail Gazette, a letter written to warehouse workers claimed the lease on the building was set to expire in 2025, and that “while exploring contract negotiations with the landlord is possible… we know our rent costs at Enfield will increase”.
It is understood that if Waitrose decides to close the warehouse it will move orders to its warehouses in Coulsdon and Greenford. A consultation process is expected to take at least 12 weeks. There are 545 people employed at the site.