O&H Group O&H Group are pleased to confirm Waitrose will take over the whole of the Podium shopping centre, more than doubling the size of the firm's existing store, the car parks will remain with O&H Group.

The £10 million investment by the group will result in 40,000 sq ft of shopping space and bring John Lewis lines to Bath city centre.

Waitrose already has permission to expand throughout The Podium, creating a store which would have a home section and a cafe upstairs in the existing Cafe Piazza. Work starts as early as January and will be completed in mid-November 2012, with the store – currently taking up 17,000 sq ft – remaining open throughout.

The library will be remaining at the centre, with access via a relocated escalator as well as the current stairs and lifts.

John Lewis products are expected to account for up to 9,000 sq ft of the expansion, the business will also take on more staff to support the larger space.

Peter Dee-Shapland from O&H Group explained “Waitrose has been part of the The Podium for over 22 years and this development highlights a commitment from all parties in Bath and creates the best possible retail and food offer for local residents and visitors alike”

Branch manager of the Waitrose store Nigel Huxley said, "We are excited about what we will be able to offer." The business has built a website to keep people updated on the development www.waitrosebath.co.uk

O&H Group is a privately owned business with a track record in supporting quality redevelopments in high profile locations; the business takes a long term view on its investments.

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