Sainsbury’s sets summer 2022 date for new store
SAINSBURY’S says it hopes to open its new store at Meols Cop Retail Park by summer 2022 after finally gaining planning permission.
Five years after it lodged its first application to build a superstore and petrol station on the retail park, the retailer was granted approval at a Sefton Council planning meeting last week.
The former Homebase store and two adjacent units will be demolished to make way for the 50,000sq ft store, which will be accompanied by a filling station and redesigned car park.
Sainsbury’s had already gained permission to build a larger store on the site after a prolonged process which involved a public inquiry before being approved by the Secretary of State.
But work never began on that project and in October 2018, the new plans were submitted for the smaller store.
Subject to approval by the Secretary of State, that new development can now go ahead and Sainsbury’s has for the first time given a timescale for it to be built and opened.
The retailer, which already has a supermarket on Lord Street, said work would be managed by developer UBS, with Sainsbury’s beginning its store fit out in late 2021 and expecting to open the doors for the first time by summer 2022.
The construction process will support 200 jobs and the store is to be staffed by 30 full time workers and 130 people in part-time roles.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director, said: “We’re excited to receive planning approval from council for our Southport superstore and look forward to getting on with the job of building this store.
“Our development will inject investment into the local economy, regenerate the area, support hundreds of jobs and enhance retail choice in the community.
“We’re committed to opening this new store to meet the shopping needs of local residents and will continue to keep the community updated on our plans.”
The plans had faced opposition from Asda, Cllr John Pugh, and residents unhappy with the site – which already contains Aldi and Home Bargains shops and is just hundreds of yards from a Tesco – becoming even busier.
Before the council meeting, Cllr Pugh warned that the erection of the new store would eventually lead to the Lord Street branch closing and damaging the town centre.
This, he argued, would counteract the work being done by the Town Deal board, which is trying to attract investment and regeneration of the centre.
He said: “This is a classic instance of the right hand not looking at what the left hand is doing.
“The Planning committee is being urged to act blind-sided to what another arm of the council is trying to achieve.
“One committee- the Town Deal board is backing proposals to pour millions into the ailing market.
“Another – the Planning Committee – is cheerfully countenancing the departure from Lord Street of one of its few sustainable businesses.
“It could be that some sections of the council think that the Southport Masterplan is all pie in the sky and not to be taken seriously. If that’s not the case, however, how can you steam on with Sainsbury’s move, ignoring possible town centre investment plans and whether another boarded-up building in Lord Street at a prime site sits comfortably within them.”
But planning officer Steve
Faulkner said the new store would be a positive addition to the town, with a “net gain of employment opportunity moving forward”.
A number of conditions have been imposed on the permission, including that the Lord Street store must remain open for a minimum of five years from the date the new Meols Cop store opens.