Morrisons Birtley ready to open!

The latest Morrisons Superstore is readying itself to open its doors in Birtley, Gateshead. 
Following the delivery of the high street unit shell by developer Morbaine in December, Watson Batty Architects acted as lead consultant in the design and site co-ordination of the food superstore fitout for Wm Morrison Supermarkets. Alongside main contractor, RN Wooler & Co the design team have fitted-out the shell with open departments and sales floor spaces alongside the back of house staff and management facilities. 

The store will create up to 250 jobs in the local area and is due to open its doors on Monday the 27th of April.  The Birtley Morrisons Store marks the sixth fit out project undertaken in recent years with our long established client Morrisons.

Morrisons Birtley readying to open its doors

With early access achieved prior to the Christmas holiday, RN Wooler & Co. Ltd are making great progress with the internal fit out of the new Morrison’s store in Birtley.  

First fix of the stores internal services are almost complete along with internal stud partitions and floor tiles. The store which is Watson Batty Architect’s latest ‘store on stilts’ allowing parking below the store will provide 26,000 sqft of retail space.

Working closely with all involved, Watson Batty Architects will be coordinating the internal fit out works to ensure the successful delivery of the store which is due to open March 2015

Blaydon Fit Out Complete

Morrisons are due to open the doors to their long awaited new store in Blaydon on Monday the 25th of August. The new store promises shoppers an innovative shopping experience with a focus on fresh produce and traditional craft skills such as butchery, bakery and fishmongery.

The opening of the store marks the latest successfully completed project by Watson Batty Architects who worked alongside the developers design team to coordinate the shell construction and undertook the internal fit out contact with main contractor, Bowman and Kirkland. The store is the first completed retail project by Watson Batty which sees the implementation of the store car park directly above the store allowing cars to park on the car deck above the building with shopper using lifts and travelators to access the sales floor.

Shipley Store Wars and Planning Win

Proposals for a mixed use development in Shipley, Bradford were unanimously approved at Planning Committee on Friday last week, ahead of two rival applications that all aimed to build a new supermarket in the town. Watson Batty Architects brought together two of their longstanding clients; Wm Morrison Supermarkets and Skipton Properties Ltd to develop this exciting mixed use scheme which has been named Shipley Exchange. The proposals occupy an 22 acre piece of land adjacent to Shipley Train Station and comprise of a Supermarket, a petrol filling station, business units, 100 dwellings as well as much needed additional station car parking. For further information on the proposal please click here to visit our website.

Vince Cable visits WBA latest food production facility

Business Secretary Vince Cable visited the Morrisons Farmers Boy processing site in Bradford today to see the company’s investment in the future of its manufacturing operation. The visit comes following the opening of the 28,700 sq.ft extension and alteration works, designed and administered by WBA, earlier this year. The Famers Boy facility in Bradford, West Yorkshire was originally designed by Watson Batty in 1998.

For more information please click here

Farmers Boy ready to roll

Watson Batty Architects Ltd have successfully delivered a new extension to the key production facility at Farmers Boy in Bradford. Originally designed and built in 1998 by Watson Batty Architects, Farmers Boy is a purpose-built fresh food factory. Watson Batty Architects have worked with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc for a number of years undertaking internal alterations and extensions to keep up with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc’s growing demands. The new extension will house new state of the art automated pie and quiche production lines.

Working with R N Wooler to construct this complicated extension, undertaking phased works of internal alterations to create new departments as well link in the plant and machinery whilst maintaining the facilities operational capabilities.       

Elland Morrisons Final Works Complete

On Saturday 14^th September the Wm Morrison Supermarkets Petrol Filling Station in Elland opened for trade marking the final piece in a construction jigsaw that has taken over 18 months to assemble. 

This complex project comprised of: A new relocation building for Nu Swift (also by WBA); a new Wm Morrison Supermarkets (WMS) Foodstore on stilts, one of the first that WMS have completed; Section 278 highway works; a very demanding asbestos removal and demolition project; and finally, the construction of the Petrol Filling Station.

A big thanks goes to all parties involved in the successful delivery of this project.

Plans Approved for Ripon Mixed-use Development

Harrogate Borough Council released a decision notice this week giving planning approval for a substantial mixed-use development on the edge of Ripon. The scheme, designed by Watson Batty Architects on behalf of Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc and Rock Regeneration, will see the creation of a new 37,000sq.ft supermarket,  a 60 Bed Hotel, DIY home and garden centre, plus industrial and office units. The decision notice marks the end of a long running application with Harrogate Borough Council which commenced with pre-application discussions in early 2011. 

The Dust is Settling

The regeneration of Blyth town centre took a momentous step forward last week with the completion of demolition works to the former Wm Morrison Supermarkets  store. The new store has been trading since the end of January 2013 and the final clearance of the old store enables McLaren Construction to complete the remaining car park and external works. Works are due to be completed in July.

Elsewhere, demolition works are progressing apace in Elland, where a series of very complex buildings are being dismantled to make way for a Petrol Filling Station and the remainder of the development. This project is due to complete in September and will see the completion of this very complex construction project.

Elland Morrisons Ready to Open

Morrisons are due to open the doors to their long awaited new  store in Elland this coming Monday the 18th of March. The new store promises shoppers an innovative shopping experience with a focus on fresh produce and traditional craft skills such as butchery, bakery and fishmongery.

The opening of the store marks the latest successfully completed project by Watson Batty Architects who both designed and delivered the store as lead consultants. The store is the first completed retail project by Watson Batty which sees the implementation of the store on stilts concept allowing cars to park under the building with shopper using lifts and travelators to access the sales floor.

An enabling contract completed earlier last year rehoused New Swift into a purpose built facility (also designed and delivered by Watson Batty) and the scheme has also included significant highway and landscape works. Watson batty will now oversee the construction of a Petrol Filling Station on what remains of the former Nu Swift factory site, due to open later this year. 

Morrisons Middlewich Opens

On Monday 28th January 2013  Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc opened their latest new store in Middlewich designed by Watson Batty Architects Ltd. Built on the site of the former Boosey’s Garden Centre the store was completed in 24.5 weeks and was not without a number of challenges during the construction period.

Store General Manager Andrew Whelan said: “We’re really proud of the store that has been created here in Middlewich. Our aim now is to offer customers a fantastic range of fresh products at great value and excellent customer service. We’re looking forward to being part of the local community and hope customers come and give us a try”.

Works Begin at Farmers Boy

R N Wooler contractors are underway with the a new extension on the Farmers Boy food production factory in Bradford. Originally designed and built in 1998 by Watson Batty Architects, Farmers Boy is a purpose-built fresh food factory. Watson Batty Architects have worked with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc for a number of years undertaking internal alterations and extensions to keep up with Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc expanding number stores. The new extension will form new state of the art automated pie and quiche production lines.

Watson Batty Architects will be working closely with all involved in the construction phase to ensure a successful delivery of this key production facility. 

New Morrisons Store Open at Blyth

Watson Batty Architect have successfully delivered a new 60,000 sq. ft. gross Morrisons store in the heart of Blyth Town centre. The Blyth store is one of the first in the North East to be designed around Morrisons ‘Store of the Future’ concept and aims to deliver an innovative fresh food offer which is not available elsewhere while still maintaining great value. The store includes new misting technology which is used to optimise the freshness of the food on offer in the ‘fresh market’ which will stock everything from carrots to tinkerbell peppers and yellow courgettes. The store also includes a continental style deli counter, 140 cuts of meat in the butchery and an unrivalled selection of more than 80 cheeses from the UK and around the world. At the bakery there will be up to 48 varieties of bread baked fresh from scratch throughout the day by Morrisons bakers.

McLaren Construction are now proceeding with the final phase of the project, demolishing the existing Morrisons store forming the remaining car park. Due for completion in summer 2013.  

Morrisons Blyth Progressing Well

With the stores envelope practically complete, McLaren Construction, are now focused on undertaking the internal fit out and second fix of the services as the milestone of mains power is completed this month to the store.   

On completion of the works, due January 2013, the existing stores staff will transfer to the new store and the existing Morrisons building will be demolished to make way for additional car parking and Section 278 works. The external works and new access in the redeveloped site are due to complete in summer 2013. The new store will create an additional 200 new jobs for the local area and forms part of the Blyth town centre regeneration programme.

Watson Batty Architects will be working closely with all involved in the construction phase to ensure a successful delivery of the store

Morrisons contend for NACS award second year running

It has been announced that the National Association of Convenience Stores will be touring the UK in September 2012 visiting leading convenience formats. The tour will see the NACS visiting Morrison’s M-local once again with an opportunity to meet the store team behind the new c-store concept. 


M-local was highly commended in Insight NACS’ 2011 International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award for its innovation with fresh food in a small format. Watson Batty were pleased to assist Morrisons as Lead Designers in delivering the first M-local store in Ilkley, followed by Wilmslow with a third store due to open in Widnes.


Watson Batty wish Morrisons the best of luck with there forthcoming visit! 


For more information visit: Click here

Elland Morrisons Construction Underway

Marshall Construction are currently underway with the Morrison’s new food store in Elland which commenced in February 2012. The construction phase for the food store will continue for the remainder of this year to enable the store to open in January 2013. Following the store opening the adjoining Petrol Filling Station will be constructed which is due to open in May 2013.

The new Food Store and Petrol Filling Station are being built on the existing Nu Swift factory site which supplies and assembles fire extinguisher equipment. During the construction phase Nu Swift are operating as normal until their new factory and offices are complete in September 2012.

Blyth Morrisons on target to open early 2013

With the enabling works well underway with the main contractor, McLaren Construction, it signals an important milestone in the regeneration of Blyth town centre, securing delivery of this long awaited development.

The new store will be considerably larger than the existing store and will incorporate Morrisons full range of goods and services. It will bring to Blyth the latest Morrisons interior layout, one of the first to be rolled out in the North East. This exciting new concept includes all the food departments, facilities and product choice that make up Morrisons current fresh food offer, but displayed and presented in exciting new ways, which bring together the best innovations in fresh produce retail from the UK, and the latest ideas from the US and Canada.

Watson Batty Architects will be working closely with all involved in the construction phase to ensure a successful delivery of the store.

Washington Morrisons in for Planning

Watson Batty Architects recently submitted a planning application on behalf of Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc for a new 73,000 sq.ft Food Store and Petrol Filling Station in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The scheme, which if approved could generate up to 350 local jobs, was warmly received by the local residents with over 94% of comments received at the public consultation being in support of the proposals. The application is now registered with the council and decision is expected in the summer.

Elland Nu-swift and Morrisons Superstore go out to Tender

Watson Batty Architects Ltd has just completed the tender package for a proposed new development on Eastgate/ Wistons Lane, Elland. Working on behalf of Nu-swift International Ltd and Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc the project will see a brand new production facility built to re-house the existing Nu-swift operation as well as a Morrisons Superstore.

Construction is due to start on the proposed Nu-swift building early in 2012 with the Morrisons store construction beginning in spring 2012. The store should be open in time for Christmas next year.

WBA deliver Morrison’s first M-Local Convenience Stores

Watson Batty Architects Ltd were appointed as project Architects for Morrison’s first three convenience stores under their new M-local format. The first store in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, opened on 8th July 2011 with the Wilmslow store following shortly after on the 1st of August. The third store in the M-local format will open in Widnes, Upton Rocks later this year.


The Ilkley store conversion from a former College Building to a modern convenience store was delivered on programme in only 14 weeks with Watson Batty Architects Ltd acting as lead designer for both the shell and fit out contracts. Watson Batty Architects have also been appointed as lead designers of the Wilmslow and Widnes Stores.


These stores are the first of the Morrison’s trial stores that Watson Batty has been commissioned to undertake introducing Morrisons’ expertise in fresh foods but with the added element of convenience. The store provides freshly prepared meat, fish and bakery goods as well as fruit, vegetables from a local hub store. These products are delivered at least four times a day to guarantee freshness.


Watson Batty Architects Ltd worked in close partnership with Morrison’s to delivery this new and exciting venture into the convenience market and over came many technical challenges to provide the stores infrastructure and internal design to meet Morrison’s aspirations.  


The store has been entered into the prestigious Insight NACS International Convenience Retailer of the Year Award 2011. For your chance to vote and see a 4 minute video of the store opening please click here


To view Ilkley Store Click Here
To view Wilmslow Store Click Here