WAITROSE has said it is delighted to be playing a role in a major cycling event in Northwich next month.

The store’s car park will host cyclists taking part in Tour Series races on Friday, May 12, with the start and finish and podium being outside the store.

As a result London Road will close on the day, and due to the finishing time of the men’s race the store will be open until 10pm.

The Tour Series round will see the top men’s and women’s cycling teams from around the UK battling it out.

A number of roads will close on the day to allow the event to take place, including London Road outside Waitrose from 5am for the rest of the day.

The Waitrose car park will be closed to vehicles, although the store will remain open.

A Waitrose spokeswoman said the store was ‘very excited’ to be associated with the event.

She said: “At the branch, we are pleased to be hosting the participants of the day's races in the Waitrose car park, with the start/finish straight and the podium all outside the branch.

“Whilst the closure of London Road outside the branch, and therefore the car park itself, will undoubtedly present challenges to trade, we will be running our Waitrose Deliver service as usual and look forward to working with the Tour Series organisers and Northwich Town Council to provide a wonderful day for Northwich.”

“The Tour Series is a high profile national event, and it’s amazing that the spotlight will be on Northwich for one of the rounds,” said town mayor Councillor Kevin Rimmer.

“I’m sure the streets will be packed with visitors.”

The town centre will be alive with activities for families from 2pm on the day to coincide with the event, and extra parking will be available at Verdin Park.

Brunner Court will feature crafts and face painting, and Scales ‘n Tails will be outside Barclays in the High Street.

Look out for Mrs Salt and Brio Bear around town, characters from Minions and the Pirates of the Caribbean can be seen between the Odeon and Wildwood restaurant and Marks and Spencer, and T-Rex will be rampaging along Witton Street, between Clarks and VIVA Café.

Donkeys will offer children’s rides in Leicester Street, and Victoria Street car park will boast a Northwich BID traders market, an artists’ market, ferris wheel, funfair rides and live music.