Sainsbury's superstore in Portsmouth to close permanently this weekend

The Sainsbury’s superstore in Commercial Road will open for its last day tomorrow (January 30).

It was announced last year that the store will be shutting as part of a wider plan to close 15 sites 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.’

The closure comes as Sainsbury’s opened a new store in Commercial Road below Stanhope House.

It will be open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.

SEE ALSO: Sainsbury's opens new supermarket in Portsmouth at site of beleaguered student halls

Following the opening, Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director, said: ‘We’re committed to ensuring our stores are in the right format and locations to serve the local community.

‘This modern Sainsbury’s Local store will give our customers access to fresh and convenient food, quick and easy meals, pantry essentials and household essentials from early in the morning to late in the evenings, every day of the week.’

James Drury, manager of the new store, said: ‘The team and I are excited to welcome and serve customers in our brand new store, which will give local students and city visitors a convenient and safe place to do their shopping.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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