SAINSBURY’S has officially announced it will no longer be building a superstore in Bromsgrove.
It was back in 2012 when the supermarket giant released plans for a store on the Birmingham Road, where the Co-op and the What! store is.
But, in October last year, it was revealed the new Sainsbury’s could be up to 15 months away and that the Co-op had been granted a five-year lease.
At the same time, Sainsbury’s opened its new Local store in the former Hundred House and Lime Bar and Thai Brasserie, opposite Partridges.
And today (Tuesday), a Sainsbury’s spokesperson confirmed to The Standard the superstore would now not be built.
She added: “We have not taken this decision lightly and are very disappointed we are not able to open a new shop in Bromsgrove.
“Since the proposals were first announced, shopping patterns have changed considerable and following an internal review, the scheme is no longer viable for us.
“We recognise that this news will be very disappointing to many people.
“We are now looking at alternative uses for the site and will keep the community updated.”
We reported last week how Aldi was drawing up plans for the site occupying the derelict DDS&S Club, former MG Rover garage and Imagination Street and a consultation on those proposals would be undertaken by Aldi with Bromsgrove residents in the coming weeks.
Bromsgrove District Council leader, Coun Margaret Sherrey, said: “While this is sad news it reflects the national picture and we will continue to work with Sainsbury’s to develop the site to work towards a better Bromsgrove.”
