I LOVE Waterhouse’s Quality Food

24 Sep 2021

Waterhouse’s has been a Cheadle Hulme fixture since, well, forever. That’s how it feels, anyway – certainly throughout virtually every residents’ entire lifetime, found on Mellor Road, nestled between the Chiverton Tap and Archive, in front of Mellor Road Garage, and a couple of steps up from MyHQ’s stunning Bridgeway House, the shop first opened back in 1921.

In this digital day and age, there aren’t many traditional retail stores celebrating a whole CENTURY in business. Starting out as a corner shop, success has brought expansion, and the shop is now four times its original size.

Waterhouses

Long Live Waterhouse’s

That longevity and continued success were by no means guaranteed. The family-run business – current shopkeeper Peter is the grandson of the original proprietor John Waterhouse – has been through its ups and downs. Alfred Waterhouse took over in 1935. He created all the fixtures and fittings in the shop which are still intact today. In the early 1960s, Alfred’s sons Peter and John were a familiar sight as they rode their old-fashioned delivery bicycles after school.

Peter became proprietor in 1970 and introduced self-select, meaning customers picked produce themselves before taking items to the till to pay. In 1981, Peter obtained the handbag shop next door to expand the store. Peter’s three children worked in the shop as teenagers and still play a part now. Perhaps it will be Peter’s grandchildren’s turn next! The 1980s were tough, with the advent of the big supermarkets, and each decade has brought its own challenges and competitors.

Waterhouses quality food

Traditional Values; Modern Approach

What, then, is the secret to Waterhouse’s popularity? Peter has evolved the business over the years. He’s displayed enviable business acumen and, unlike many old-school shop owners who’ve sadly fallen by the wayside, he’s positively embraced diversification. This began back in the 80s when Waterhouse’s opened their fresh fish counter and tardis-like frozen food section.

More recent developments include the impressive refill station and the innovative new juice bar – the Prodjuice Juicery. Cold-pressed juice is produced in-store every day for a little taste of sunshine here in the heart of Cheadle Hulme. Fresh juice is an easy, tasty way to get vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and nutrients from raw fruit and veg.

The bright green bar is inviting and ready to serve you the freshest, tastiest juices and smoothies imaginable, thanks to the high-tech Good Nature equipment. Chef Ari from the Vegas Bellagio in Las Vegas has specially created a menu of juices, smoothies and nut milks, each designed for great flavour and the best ingredients for the healthiest convenient lifestyle.

Free From and Fill Up

There’s also a comprehensive free-from range, natural foods and zero-waste products. Waterhouse’s carry a gratifyingly extensive range of chilled, frozen and cupboard food suitable for veggie, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free shoppers. A collaboration with the brilliant Nice Buns Bakery in Cheadle Heath means delicious fresh bread, pastries and scones every day, too.

Waterhouse’s are also proud to be 95% single-use plastic-free. They care about the environment and thus make a plastic-free, zero-waste lifestyle easy and accessible. There are refill stations dispensing household goods and toiletries as well as dry foods, including:

Nuts
Seeds
Fruit
Pasta
Rice
Baking Goods
Oils
Vinegars
Spices
Hand & Body Wash
Shampoo
Conditioner
Fabric Detergent
Cleaning solutions.

Traditionally a greengrocer, Waterhouse’s are still famed locally for the freshest produce. Produce which Peter hand selects daily from Manchester’s Smithfield Market. There, he knows all the traders and they know him. Moreover, they know exactly what he wants and the standards he expects. He’s assured of the best quality seasonal produce!

Waterhouses quality food

Waterhouse’s Working in the Community

2020 lockdowns and restrictions meant Waterhouse’s had to adapt, quickly. As a food business, the shop could remain open, so Pete and his team worked to meet the new demands and protocols. Virtually overnight, a delivery service was born. Through the height of the pandemic, Peter offered free delivery to anyone self-isolating, and to doctors and nurses. Peter was thrilled to have several volunteers from the community make this possible when the infrastructure wasn’t there yet. Even through these demanding days, Waterhouse’s continued to support Chelwood Foodbank. They donate every Tuesday. and acting as a drop-off point for your donations.

Waterhouses quality food

Onwards and Upwards

As 2020 drew to a close, the Waterhouse’s Quality Food website launched, bringing a full online ordering system. Waterhouse’s are proud that they could support the community. They did this by expanding their in-house team and extending their local brand partnerships and offerings. Order and edit right up until 6am on the day of your delivery. Now, THAT’S convenience!

There’s literally NOTHING to not love about Waterhouse’s. Eat natural, eat fresh and refill. All while shopping local and supporting a truly independent family firm who LOVE Cheadle Hulme.