Waitrose is to open its first store in Bracknell - almost 40 years after setting up its head office there.

The upmarket retailer becomes the first supermarket to open a store in the centre of the Berkshire town for 25 years.

The outlet is part of a major regeneration programme headed-up by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, with which Waitrose has a agreed a 35-year lease for a 36,000 sq ft site.

Waitrose said the supermarket itself would be around 25,000 sq ft, making it one of its larger stores.

“We are really excited about becoming more ingrained into the local area and participating in the regeneration of the town through the development of a new flagship store,” said Waitrose property services and development director Nigel Keen.

Outline planning permission for the site has already been granted, with more details due to be confirmed in February. Waitrose hopes the new store will open by spring 2012.

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