After over five decades, Hall Green's Waitrose supermarket is closing its doors for the final time. The store has been a landmark in the community since 1971, and we explore its rich history, its connection to local shoppers, and what its closure means for the area.
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00:00We're here today for the closure of the Hall Green Waitrose, which has been here since 1971, so 53 years.
00:07And people regard it as the local place where they go to buy their produce, and of course they meet other people.
00:14And as we've seen here, there's a lot of staff who have given many, many years of commitment to giving great service and great products to people.
00:24Being here at Waitrose for its final evening before closure, it's clear this isn't just the loss of a supermarket,
00:30but the end of an era for a community that's seen this site evolve over decades.
00:35From its beginnings as the Robin Hood cinema, to its transformation into a much-loved store,
00:41this location holds a special place in local history and people's memories.
00:46What we're losing is the community spaces. Pubs are closing down, we don't have the same facilities,
00:52and Waitrose kind of served that purpose, so it's a really sad day for the community.
00:57And it's to be really hoped that whatever eventually replaces the Waitrose continues that tradition of a place where people come together
01:05and they enjoy something which of course is cultural and fulfilling.
01:10With the doors now closed for good, the closure raises important questions about the future of this historic site.
01:17For many, Waitrose wasn't just a place to shop, but a community hub.
01:21As Hall Green says goodbye to this chapter, the focus now shifts onto how this spice can continue to serve the area in the years to come.
01:30It's a very sad day with it closing.
01:33What we've got to make sure is that whatever replaces it adds value to the community of Hall Green.
01:40Regeneration is such a huge issue at the moment with the loss of local community facilities
01:48and whatever is going to replace Waitrose needs to be likewise at the heart of the community,
01:55adding value to everyday life for local residents.