Meat and fizz for flush customers

Booths say takings in the first weekend at its new Heyhouses Lane premises in St Annes were 14 per cent up on the average weekend basket spend as the store performed well above its anticipated budget.

Bollinger Champagne, at £45 a bottle, prosecco and fillet steak all appeared in the top five selling items by value.

Ian Jacques, manager at the new store which opened last Wednesday, said: “Customers were out to treat themselves and we have had a fantastic first week. Customer feedback has been excellent, with many comments about the extensive range, the spacious layout and our customer service.”

A programme of free events is planned in the coming weeks, including a jazz afternoon tea in the cafe, book signings, talks and tastings and Ian added: “Early indications are that this store will perform very well.”

Meanwhile, the next feature of the Heyhouses site which includes the Water’s Edge pub-restaurant and 162 homes as well as the Booths store on the site of former Government offices has moved a step closer.

An agreement has been struck on behalf of developers Worthington Properties with Octopus Healthcare to buy a 1.2-acre section of the site for the development of a care home for up to 64 residents, subject to planning consent.

The new care facility will contain landscaped areas and parking facilities and Shaun Skidmore, senior director of specialist markets at CBRE Manchester, who sold the site on behalf of Worthington’s, said: “We are delighted to represent Worthington Properties to complete the sale of this care home development site to Octopus Healthcare.

“The addition of the care facility will further enhance the mix of uses at this important regeneration scheme.”

Octopus Healthcare, based in Surrey, manages various GP surgeries, retirement housing, private hospitals and care homes around the country.