Sainsbury's announces closure of Portsmouth superstore

The Sainsbury’s branch off Commercial Road will shut next year, a spokeswoman said today.

It comes as part of a 2019 plan to close up to 15 stores by 2021.

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: ‘We have updated colleagues on the difficult decision to close our Portsmouth store and we are doing everything we can to find alternative roles within Sainsbury’s for those affected.

‘Customers can continue to shop with us at a number of nearby stores. For example, our Portsmouth Guildhall Walk Local and Farlington superstore are both a short drive away.’

Sainsbury’s said it hopes to open 10 new UK stores by 2024.

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The store in Commercial Road has staged multiple fundraisers for good causes over the years, including a 2017 trolley dash in aid of Queen Alexandra Hospital's children’s department.

Paralympian Lauren Steadman, from Southsea, also visited the store last August to inspire customers.

Details of any potential job losses have not been given by the chain yet.

The decision has not gone down well with shoppers.

Reacting on our breaking news Facebook page, Gill Jamieson said: ‘What is actually going to be left in Portsmouth?

‘The Royal Hospital used to be there and there is a plaque in the foyer what will happen to that as well as the staff?'

Gloria Foster added: ‘Shame everything is going – should put the plaques in the museum in Portsmouth.’

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