A NEW high-end supermarket will be created at Southampton's biggest retailer.

John Lewis has announced the creation of a £7.3million Waitrose store at its West Quay shopping centre outlet.

The new shop will be created on John Lewis' lower ground floor, and is only the second of its kind in the country.

The 5,000sq ft Waitrose shop will be a “little” version of a full-scale supermarket, and offer a range of groceries, meals and other products.

John Lewis' home department, which is currently based on the lower ground floor, will be relocated elsewhere in the store.

Work will start in May and is due to be completed in September.

John Lewis will remain open as normal throughout the work.

It is the second major change to the outlet in the past year, with a £2million beauty complex on the upper ground floor due for completion next month.

Mark Venables, head of branch at John Lewis' Southampton store, said: “The two projects are very exciting for us and confirm John Lewis's commitment to shoppers here in Southampton.

“We are delighted that we have been selected as only the second shop to receive the new concept 'little Waitrose at John Lewis' as it provides us with an opportunity to broaden our offer for current customers as well as providing an opportunity to attract new ones.

“Beauty is a key performer for us here in Southampton and we are thrilled to be able to create one of the strongest beauty offers in any John Lewis shop.”