As part of a £1bn investment plan , Waitrose has chosen Cricklewood in north London as the location for its first supermarket in eight years.

The upmarket grocer will open the store on Thursday and another supermarket in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester , next month. It also plans four smaller stores next year, including a supermarket in Oakham, Rutland, and three convenience stores in Bedminster (Bristol), Chalk Farm (London) and Springstead Village (Cambridge).

In 2024, Waitrose, which has more than 300 supermarkets, said it planned to open up to four large supermarkets and 100 convenience stores over five years and would also refurbish a number of outlets introducing meat, fish and sushi counters, on-site bakeries and fine wine sections.

The new Waitrose store in Cricklewood.…