Waitrose's staff gym to open to general public

Waitrose has been given permission to open its private sports and leisure club to the general public.

The supermarket chain has been based in Bracknell since 1972 and its club in Willoughby Road can be used by all of its 2,700 staff based in the town.

It said last year that about 620 people were members, down from about 800 five years before that, and that the facility was "significantly under-utilised".

Bracknell Forest Council approved Waitrose's plan on Thursday but said work must be done first to make sure its car park is safe for users.