The new Sainsbury’s superstore in Southport will open this July.
Work is currently taking place to build the huge new 81,330 sq ft flagship foodstore at Meols Cop retail park in Blowick.
The huge scheme will create 160 new jobs and revitalise the retail park, following the closure of the Homebase store seven years ago.
The investment by Sainsbury’s is supporting over 200 jobs during construction.
It will create 30 full time positions and 130 part time roles in the store and meet the shopping needs of the community.
Sainsbury’s has declined to comment on the scheme.
The development is part of Savills’ efforts to revitalise Msols Cop retail park, attracting more new national businesses onto the site and creating hundreds of new jobs.
In addition to Sainsbury’s planning permission has also been granted by Sefton Council for a 9,938 sq ft Pure Gym.
Savills has also indicated that there is the potential for a drive-through facility on the site.
The firm is advertising for new tenants to take up two vacant 10,000 sq ft units, one next to Halfords, the other adjacent to the former Curry’s store.
The car park is currently being reconfigured, and when complete will cater for over 700 car parking spaces.
Other tenants on the site include a 17,109 sq ft Home Bargains, a 10,450 sq ft Halfords, a 4,390 sq ft Bensons for Beds and a 17,652 sq ft Aldi.
The former Homebase store, which sat empty after closing in 2017, and the two adjoining units where the new Sainsbury’s will be have now been demolished.
The initial permission was granted by Sefton’s planning committee in 2016.
Objectors had raised concerns over the possible impact on trade on Southport town centre if the new superstore was allowed to open.
Sainsbury’s argued that the new development will create jobs, give a much-needed boost to part of a retail park which had become half-empty, and will provide greater choice for shoppers.
As part of the agreement, Sainsbury’s existing Southport town centre store, on Great George’s Place just off Lord Street, must remain in place for at least the next five years.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said last year: “We’re pleased that our plans for Meols Cop Retail Park will now go ahead and we look forward to opening our new store once built.”
Last year, The High Court ruled in favour of the development following a Judicial Review. But the development then faced one final challenge before it was allowed to go ahead.
All works will be managed by the developer UBS.
Sainsbury’s had hoped to carry out its store fit out in late 2021 with the store opening by Summer 2022, but this was delayed by the Judicial Review being called.
In 2016 Sainsbury’s was given the green light to build a larger store on the site of the former Homebase store and two adjacent empty retail units which would have created 400 new jobs.
Their revised smaller plans, which were granted by Sefton Council’s Planning Committee in August 2020 before being sent to the Secretary of State for approval, will see a smaller supermarket than originally planned, with the creation of 160 new jobs.
The new supermarket will offer a wide range of Sainsbury’s own-brand and branded food ranges, alongside its clothing and general merchandise offer.
An in-store bakery will offer customers a range of freshly baked goods.
The new store will also play an active role in the local community through its food donation, volunteering and charity programmes.
- For more details about available units at Meols Cop retail park in Southport please visit: www.savills.co.uk
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