A HIGH-END supermarket chain announced yesterday that its new Haywards Heath store will open in March.

Waitrose received more than 400 applications for the 140 new jobs it is creating just two weeks after the roles were first advertised.

Interviews are currently under way for customer service, hospitality and supermarket assistant positions.

Branch manager Rupert Simpson said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest and anticipation around our arrival so we are delighted that we can now give people an opening date.

“We are incredibly proud to be coming to Haywards Heath and cannot wait to welcome our new customers in March.”

Waitrose – which will open at 7am on Thursday March 30 – has also been working with Jobcentre Plus as part of the process to provide interview opportunities for unemployed people.

All successful candidates will become partners in the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s oldest and largest employee-owned business.

This will entitle them to benefits, including educational and leisure subsidies, shopping discounts and a share in the company’s annual profits in the form of an annual bonus.

Waitrose recruitment manager Sarah Duncan said: “We look to invest in the people working in the branch as much as the store itself and we had a fantastic response to our recruitment drive.

“The calibre of candidates is really excellent.

“It’s important for us at the shop to have a local identity and that starts with our staff, so we’re really looking forward to building a strong team and becoming part of the local community in Haywards Heath.”

BAM Construction built the new Waitrose building and completed refurbishment to the existing station building and forecourt.

The project also involves new electrical substations and cable diversions together with an extension to Clair Road exiting onto Perrymount Road to ease congestion.

Graham Smith, an estate agent at Marcus Grimes, said: “This site was becoming an eyesore and as it’s such a prominent location it didn’t reflect well on the town. The new development has brought a touch of class to the station area.”

The construction of the store represents the largest element of the £35 million Haywards Heath station upgrade.