LUXURY retailer Waitrose has revealed plans to relocate one of its stores just two miles down the road.
The high-end supermarket is closing its Littlehampton branch once a new store opens this summer in Rustington.
The retailer has reached an agreement to lease the vacant former Co-op unit at the junction of Broadmark Lane and The Street in the village.
Despite being just two miles apart, average house prices are in stark contrast at £227,000 in Littlehampton compared to £316,000 in Rustington.
The branch in Littlehampton opened just four years ago.
The new branch will double the number of customer car parking spaces available and provide a dedicated service area for deliveries.
All employees at Waitrose Littlehampton will be offered the opportunity to move to the new store.
Justine Richardson, of the Rustington Chamber of Trade, said: “Rustington has the right sort of customers for Waitrose, with quite a high number of more mature customers and lots of families with disposable income.
“It’s a popular shopping village already so having Waitrose come in is fantastic and will hopefully bring even more peope in.
“But it is a huge loss for Littlehampton, which gets a lot of bad press.
Littlehampton Town Mayor Jill Long expressed sincere disappointment at the news.
Coun Long said: “I feel that Waitrose helped increase footfall in the town centre and its closure brings about some uncertainty but Littlehampton is still a vibrant place to shop with lots to offer.”
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