Sainsbury's set to open store in Bishop's Waltham after failing in bid five years ago

Sainsbury’s will launch its new Neighbourhood Hub store in November after taking over the existing Budgens on Winchester Road.

It comes after the supermarket pulled its controversial bid for a large store in Abbey Mill in 2015 following a six-year battle that divided the town.

Campaigners – backed by television star Amanda Holden, who grew up nearby – battled to stop plans after saying they were not ‘viable’ due to the impact a large supermarket on the outskirts of a small town would have on the area.

The new Sainsbury’s will be one of only three Neighbourhood Hub stores in the country as well as being twice the size of a normal Sainsbury’s Local.

It will offer a range of new features, including an Argos shop with products available for collection.

There will also be a selection of beauty items and flowers, as well as fresh juice and coffee.

A temporary closure for an estimated 12-weeks will take place from the start of September while the building is refurbished before opening in November.

Existing staff members at Budgens will have jobs at the new Sainsbury’s store.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said the shop will stock a ‘wide range of popular everyday essentials including household products, ready meals, fresh products and food to go’.

Robin Shepherd, chairman of Bishop’s Waltham Town Team who campaigned against the previous plans to open a Sainbury’s store, said: ‘I have no objections and can’t see many people will have - the last plans were entirely inappropriate.

‘We were fighting to stop the high street disappearing under the previous plans. There will be no pull away from the town centre with the new store.

‘I have nothing against Sainsbury’s. Hopefully they will buy and sell local food and do a lot of good for the community and be a good employer.’

The Sainsbury’s spokesman said there were no plans to extend the store and confirmed there would be no change to the nearby Sainsbury’s petrol station.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director, said: ‘We’re looking forward to opening the doors to a brand new Sainsbury’s Neighbourhood Hub store in Bishop’s Waltham this November.

‘We know the community is going to enjoy the wide range of food and convenience products on offer in this new store. We will continue to keep the community updated on our plans to refurbish this store.’

SEE ALSO: Nightclub to reopen as bar with beer garden

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.