I say 'new'; the store opened in July 2010 on the site of the Wimborne Cricket Club ground (see
SZ0199 : Wimborne Minster: the cricket ground). There had been a large local outcry when planning permission was given for the supermarket, and a large campaign was launched to recognise the former cricket ground as a 'town green', which if successful could have led to retrospective action on the permission. However, the cricket club was supportive of the development as, as part of the deal, Waitrose provided a new ground on the outskirts of town, which the club started using in 2010.
As well as the supermarket, a large public open space, abutting an arm of the River Allen which is just to our left, has been provided.