MONMOUTH MP David Davies has visited Waitrose in Abergavenny to find out how the store is supporting the community.
Mr Davies was given an insight into the running of the business by Branch Manager Tim Wingrove, before meeting Worcestershire company Muddy Boots, which supplies Waitrose with homemade burgers, and local suppliers of homemade ice cream Brooke’s Wye Valley Dairy Company Ltd.
Brooke’s Dairy, based in Devauden near Chepstow, sells its produce through Waitrose in Wales and is proving extremely popular with customers.
Afterwards, David was introduced to members of the Waitrose Partnership Council and joined the Abergavenny Senior Citizens Liaison Team. Made up of four officers based at Abergavenny Police Station, the team was on hand to offer crime prevention advice to older adult shoppers, including how to protect their valuables whilst out and about.
“Waitrose is an excellent example of a business that is doing great things in the area,” said Mr Davies.
“I was particularly impressed with the way Waitrose operates and deals with its staff. Each branch has a PartnerVoice forum and is the means by which employees, known as partners, can provide feedback, question management, raise their own issues and ideas, and be consulted. It’s a very unique business model but one which seems to work very well.
“I was also delighted to sample Brooke’s Diary ‘Welsh Gold’ ice cream. I’m not just saying this because they are a local company, but it really is the best ice cream I have ever tasted and I highly recommend it. It was great to hear how the business has grown since supplying Waitrose”.
Robert Brooke, Director of Brooke’s Diary, added: “We are delighted to be working with Waitrose in Wales and are proud that our produce is sold through our local stores. Together with Waitrose we have raised brand awareness and increased local demand.”
Branch Manager Tim Wingrove said: “I was pleased to welcome David into our store, giving him the opportunity to learn about how Waitrose works as a business and the benefits it provides the community through initiatives such as Community Matters, where we donate £12,000 a year to local causes”.