Waitrose has confirmed that its ‘little’ supermarket at the Shell garage in Hazlemere won't be closing despite online speculation – but will undergo a major rebrand.

Rumours that the ‘little’ branch of the popular retail chain on Amersham Road was closing in the next few months gained traction on social media this week, with a former employee appearing to announce the news and thank customers for “10 fabulous years of service”.

The consequent outpouring of regret and disappointment from locals, while understandable, was slightly misguided, however.

In what appears on the face of it to be an odd decision, a spokesperson for Waitrose told the Free Press this afternoon (August 6) that the shop would be rebranded under a new retailer but retain the same members of staff and a large number of the same products in the transition. 

They said there would be “no significant changes for customers” after the move come into effect later this year.

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Adding: “We’ve been informed by our landlord, Shell, that they plan to transfer Waitrose Hazlemere petrol station to another retailer now that our operating agreement for the site has come to an end.

“This means that our partners working there will transfer to the new retailers, and we’re working hard to support them with the transition.

“We’ll still provide a wide selection of Waitrose products to the new retailers, and our customers can continue to shop our full range of products from Waitrose.com or by visiting their nearby Waitrose shop in High Wycombe, Beaconsfield or Amersham.”