Sainsbury’s will be part of new library complex
CONVENIENCE STORE CONFIRMED FOR GROUND FLOOR OF NEW DEVELOPMENT
UP to 20 new jobs will be created at a new Sainsbury’s Local convenience store set to open in Sherwood.
The company will form part of the redevelopment of the Sherwood Library site on Mansfield Road. Car parking will be available to customers.
Sainsbury’s property director Patrick Dunne said: “This is a very exciting development and we’re very pleased to announce our plans to open a new Sainsbury’s Local in the heart of it.
“Our convenience store will give customers access to fresh, great value food alongside Sainsbury’s renowned colleague service.
“This shop will provide residents with everyday essentials at their doorstep and the chance for workers, and visitors, to get what they need as they go about their busy daily lives.”
Ashe Wright, manager at Divine Coffee House, said: “It’s quite a big name to have. I think it will be something extra for people. Anything that brings people to the Sherwood high street is good.
“It’s a significant boost for Sherwood – there’s not that many big names here. It will be nice just to have the library back as a community hub that people can use.”
Hamid Reza, 42, is the owner of Sherwood Booze off-licence. He said: “I don’t think it’s a good thing for me but I like Sainsbury’s - it’s my favourite shop.
“I think it’s very good that they’re providing jobs. I have a second shop round the corner so it doesn’t concern me too much and I actually like that they open so many shops. It will definitely be busier round here.”
Local resident Penny Breakwell, 74, of Sherwood, said: “It will be useful – there’s not many grocery shops in Sherwood anymore.
“That’s obviously good [the new jobs], I know an awful lot of people that have suffered and lost jobs.”
But Katriona Skrimshire, 50, owner of Roots – Natural Foods, said: “I’d be worried about the other shops. Some people are really happy – some people aren’t. I’m worried about the parking, losing a lot of spaces. I’m worried about the noise and mess, the environmental cost, taking the trees out.”
Though she backed the creation of jobs it would bring, she added: “I’m worried about us because Sainsbury’s do sell all that we sell.
“There’s been a lot of competition recently but it might bring a lot of new people.”
Owned by Nottingham City Council, the buildings at the library site in Spondon Street are in a poor state – and the authority has deemed that the library no longer meets the “standards expected” by users.
Working with contractor Hockley Developments, the council’s redevelopment plans have been put forward – planning documents revealing that a “blue-chip retail operator” was be announced in due course to operate from a ground-floor unit.
Sainsbury’s has now confirmed its commitment to the site.
The new library will include retail space, offices, community facilities with seven apartments above. At the back, 12 homes are planned as well as two residential buildings set to comprise 22 apartments.
The planning application for the site is yet to be decided.
Alan Forsyth, managing director of Hockley Developments, said: “We are delighted to have Sainsbury’s on board for this landmark mixed-use development in Sherwood.
“There is a lot of local excitement about this development, with family housing and apartments being built, as well as the new library and supermarket, and we look forward to getting started on site next month.”
The news comes after the company revealed last month that it plans to close its Sainsbury’s Local store in Blenheim Drive, Chilwell, next month, following other closures in Eastwood, Nuthall and Ruddington.