February aim for new store opening
SAINSBURY’S says it aims to open its new superstore in Southport in February next year.
The huge 44,710sqft supermarket is being built at Meols Cop retail park on the former Homebase site, and will include an Argos outlet.
It will follow the recent opening of Hobbycraft and Pure Gym in revitalising the retail park.
The new store will see the creation of 150 new jobs, with Sainsbury’s currently advertising for new roles.
Also arriving will be 14 ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging bays in the 388-space car park, after the firm changed its original plan of creating a new petrol filling station.
Under planning conditions set out by Sefton Council, the existing Sainsbury’s store at Great George’s Place, off Lord Street in Southport town centre, must remain for at least five years.
The firm says it is “bringing its unbeatable combination of quality fresh food, competitive prices, innovative products and enthusiastic colleagues” to Meols Cop retail park.
The retailer has recently taken possession of the site that will house its next supermarket to open and is in the process of fitting it out.
Sainsbury’s says it is passionate about providing ‘good food for all of us’ and the store will feature a wide range of tasty products, including an extensive selection of fresh food, fruit and veg, foodto-go, cupboard staples and freshly baked goods.
It will also feature a carefully curated selection of non-food, including Sainsbury’s Habitat and Tu Clothing ranges, as well as a new Argos store that will enable customers to shop from thousands of products in technology, toys, gaming and electricals while picking up their groceries.
The arrival of the supermarket is creating around 150 permanent new roles in-store as well as supporting a variety of jobs throughout the construction and fit-out period.
Recruitment of colleagues for in-store roles is currently under way.
Anyone in the community who is interested in applying can look out for new vacancies on Sainsbury’s jobs website: www. sainsburys.jobs.
The new superstore will combine Sainsbury’s latest innovations in technology to bring together an array of sustainable features to make it more energy-efficient.
Like the rest of the retailer’s estate, it will rely on electricity that is 100% renewable and use 100% LED lighting throughout.
It will also feature solar panels on the roof, doors on chilled cabinets, keeping cold air in and reducing their energy demands, and 14 ultra-rapid electric charging bays.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “We’re delighted to be onsite and making progress on our new, state-ofthe-art supermarket as we begin the process of transforming the building into a destination that will help more customers in Southport discover the joy of food with Sainsbury’s.
“Our new supermarket will build on the success and popularity of our existing stores in the town, which will continue to serve the community when it opens in February.
“I’m really looking forward to welcoming customers in Meols Cop to experience the latest of everything Sainsbury’s has to offer – until then, I’d like to thank everyone in the local community for their support and patience while we complete the remaining work on the store.”
Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said: “It’s truly commendable to witness Sainsbury’s significant investment in Southport’s diverse retail sector.
“This commitment not only guarantees local residents access to high-quality food but also reflects a robust dedication to site infrastructure development, community involvement, and charitable engagement across Southport.”
Sainsbury’s believes that good food should be for all, but the reality for many communities across the UK is they need support more now than ever with access to food.
Sainsbury’s Southport Meols Cop will play an active part in combating food poverty by contributing positively to the retailer’s Nourish the Nation programme, in which it works with Comic Relief to ensure communities have improved access to balanced, nutritional and sustainable food sources.