A TOWN centre supermarket is looking to extend the hours for its HGV deliveries.

Northwich's Waitrose branch has applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council to vary a condition which would allow deliveries between 6am and 11pm Monday to Saturday.

Currently deliveries are permitted at the London Road store between 6am and 10pm Monday to Saturday and between 8am and 9pm on Sundays.
The longer hours would help the store extend its home delivery service.

A covering letter, written by Firstplan on behalf of Waitrose, said: "The store is currently permitted to allow deliveries between 6am and 10am Monday to Saturday and between 8am and 9pm on Sundays.

"Waitrose is seeking to extend this delivery window to allow HGV activities to take place between 6am and 11pm Monday to Saturday."Waitrose do not propose to increase the current number of HGV deliveries to the store, instead seeking to spread the deliveries out over a longer period.

"This application is primarily intended to allow Waitrose to extend their existing home delivery service at the store.

"Customer demand for online shopping has steadily increased over recent years and Waitrose has been actively investing and expanding their online services accordingly.

"The current Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated demand for supermarket home deliveries and online facilities (such as click and collect).

"Waitrose expect this demand to increase beyond the current health crisis and, as part of a significant ongoing financial investment, intend to enhance the online service offered at its Northwich store.

"This will allow more customers to benefit from home deliveries while increasing stock flow through the business to ensure home delivery orders can be fulfilled.

"Whilst the trend towards online shopping is set to continue in the future, Waitrose's physical stores will remain the core of their business, and it is essential they can adapt and evolve to meet changing customer needs.

"The current application will help to enhance the operational management of the store by ensuring it remains fully stocked throughout the day and able to meet the needs of visiting shoppers.

"This will allow the store to continue performing its important role in anchoring and supporting the vitality and viability of Northwich town centre."

To comment on the application, use reference 21/02325/S73 when searching the council's online planning portal.