The new Waitrose convenience store on Osborne Road will open for business in early November, according to main contractor RG Group.

Artist's impression of new Waitrose convenience store

Residents may have already noticed the Leeds-based firm in the area over the past couple of weeks, as it has set up offices behind the hoardings around the perimeter of the site of the former Osborne Road Garage.

Construction manager Daniel Jordan says RG is progressing with the ground works at the moment, but by the end of this month (August) locals will be able to see the work more readily as the steel structure goes up.

The contractor is holding open mornings each Friday from 10am, offering local people the opportunity to see the work being done and planned, and also a chance to make comments and suggestions about its site activities. “RG operates an open door approach to site operations and likes the local community to feel part of it,” says Jordan. “So if there is anything you see that you are not happy with or think we could improve upon, feel free to pop in and let us know.”

According to RG, the Jesmond store will be operating a community token scheme similar to the one that operates in Newcastle store: a green disc will be given to shoppers when entering the store, to be placed into a charity box of their choice when leaving the store.

Jordan can be contacted on his mobile, 07796941751 or via email at daniel.jordan@rggroup.co.uk