Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today that it will open a new 17,000 square-foot store in Central London’s most exciting new retail development at The Quadrant 3 in Soho, which is due to open in spring 2012.

The new store, a re-location for its existing Soho store which is currently based on Brewer Street, will be based over two floors on the south side of the development and will be the largest retail space in the development and the only food store on site. The new entrance on Glasshouse Street will open into the store which will feature a cafe, a greengrocery, a fishmongers and bakery where fresh breads will be baked all day. There will also be seating provided if customers want to eat in from the many food bars.The new butchers counter will put a full-service butcher’s counter back into the Soho district for the first time in many years.

Alongside fresh sushi made in-house customers will find an outstanding ‘Chef’s Case’ where you can find restaurant quality meals at take away prices. There will be a full Burrito Bar for those looking for an authentic Mexican taste all wrapped up where you can choose from chipotle pork, hot chicken, spicy mince or roasted vegetables with a range of toppings to make the perfect burrito.

Another standout feature of the prepared food offering will be the new ‘grains, greens and beans’ counter. Inspired by Whole Foods Market’s ‘Health Starts Here’ healthy eating initiative, at this venue, chefs will create bespoke salads for customers from a choice of fresh, high-quality ingredients including a green, a protein topping, a whole grain and an oil-free dressing all tossed in front of them, and served as a wrap or in a bowl. For all those creative types that Soho is famed for maybe the new salad bar will be able to provide some inspirational brain fuel? Alongside bespoke salads and great greens will be fantastic in-house made sandwiches, a Panini pick up bar and an extensive choice of hot and cold dishes from the prepared foods counter.

Those looking beyond food and health to beauty will not be disappointed with an enlarged ‘Whole Body’ section for natural supplements, skin, body and hair care remedies and a beautiful treatment room for a relaxing all-natural massage or facial away from the busy streets of central London.

The new store will expand the number of team member positions in the UK to 150 and the new store is due to open in May 2012 as part of a phased opening of the Quadrant 3 development.

Jeff Turnas, Whole Foods Market’s UK Regional President, said:

We are very excited that Whole Foods Market is the lead food retailer in such as prestigious development as Quadrant 3. We are relocating our successful Soho store into this fantastic new space that will allow us to expand our offer and introduce new concepts. Our goal is to be the finest food shop in every community we serve and we are sure that Londoners will continue to embrace our commitment to natural and organic foods, our high welfare standards and our unique product offering.”

Since the opening of its first store in the US in 1980, Whole Foods Market has been known for its commitment to its stringent quality standards. The grocer offers the highest quality natural and organic foods – all free of artificial flavours, sweeteners, colours, preservatives and hydrogenated fats – with bakery, meats and more prepared fresh in store.

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Notes to editors:

  • Whole Foods Market has over 300 stores in US, Canada and the UK.
  • There are currently 5 Whole Foods Market stores in London at locations in Camden, Clapham Junction, Kensington, Soho and Stoke Newington.
  • There are currently 44 stores in development worldwide, including Glasgow which will open in November 2011.
  • The company currently employs more than 650 team members in the UK and more than 60,000 team members worldwide.