Waitrose Leek opened on 1 May 2014, bringing a different kind of shopping experience to Leek, taking over from the Co-op and retaining Leek's main Post Office on site.  It has undoubtedly brought people into the town; Waitrose customers are prepared to travel.

It currently employs around 110 people, many employed from its opening and all highly committed to the success of the store, providing exceptional customer service and making Waitrose Leek a lovely place to work and shop.  It has a loyal customer base and the branch is actively involved in community activities and charity fund-raising.

Waitrose Leek has consistently met and surpassed its sales and other commercial targets, it has an exceptional food safety rating, has been praised for stock management standards and Continuous Improvement activity.

Out of the blue on 8 February, 2017, the (John Lewis) Partnership Board announced the proposal to close Waitrose Leek.  Although it met all its weekly sales and commercial targets, it was apparently claimed that the branch had not in fact been profitable - this claim had never been shared with the staff.  The staff understandably were completely shocked, as they had achieved all that had been asked of them.

This petition is intended to try and make the Partnership give Waitrose Leek the opportunity to make savings, rationalise the business, negotiate a reduction in its overheads and at least have a chance to save the store.

If you care about the livelihoods of 110 people, care about the impact on Leek of the withdrawal of Waitrose, don't want to lose that unique shopping experience, that complimentary newspaper and coffee, that flower wrapping service, the facility to order John Lewis parcels on click & collect, the chance to give £1000 every month to the good causes of Leek.....then please sign this petition and give Waitrose Leek a chance to survive!