Booths has welcomed a sixth-generation family member into the business.

Henry Booth has joined the upmarket northern supermarket chain as a graduate trainee where he will spend his first two years training to become a buyer.

Henry, who holds a degree in politics and international relations from Aberdeen University, follows in the footsteps of his uncle, chairman Edwin Booth.

“I began my career in central distribution and believe it has had a major influence on the way I have run the business ever since,” Edwin said. “Henry will learn the skills of retailing from the bottom up, interacting with people at all levels of the business.”

Booths, which began life as one small shop in Blackpool in 1847 and now has 28 supermarkets across Lancashire, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, prides itself on the family culture that knits the organisation together, citing this as the driver behind its thriving business.

Henry, whose father is director of properties Graham Booth, admitted there was a lot of pressure in joining a family business, but added: “I am looking forward to the challenge and I’m keen to learn as much about the different aspects of Booths as possible.”

Booths is due to open its 29th store in Milnthorpe in November, the same month in which it plans to increase its own-label wine selection. The range will feature a simpler design, in line with its other own-label food ranges.

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