Extended store opens next week (From Witney Gazette)

Extended store opens next week

9:00am Wednesday 30th August 2006

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SHOPPERS are being promised that Witney's bigger Sainsbury's store will be ready to open next week.

s=8But the supermarket, in Witan Way, will close from tomorrow for a week, so that work can be finished on its new extension.

Managers were given the go-ahead last July to almost double the size of the store, by building a 1,440 sqm single-storey extension.

It was hoped by Sainsbury's at the time that the bigger shop could open by Christmas 2005, but managers said a 'phased approach' had been taken to work, so that the store could remain in operation throughout most of the redevelopment project.

Store manager, Mike Hawker, said the closure from tomorrow was necessary to allow final touches and preparations to be made.

He said the store and its new shopping area would reopen at 9am next Thursday, September 7, and include a whole new department, with 'food to go', adult and children's clothing and electrical goods, new pharmacy for people to pick up prescriptions, improved caf, and wider aisles.

A new customer entrance has already opened, and changes were made to the layout of the store's car park.

Mr Hawker said: "We'd like to thank customers and neighbours for their patience and understanding during the work.

"We believe that, after completion, the refurbished store, with its expanded offer, will be of real benefit to Witney and our customers."

West Oxfordshire district councillors approved plans for the expansion on condition that only 15 per cent of the total floorspace was used for non-food items, such as clothing and electrical goods, after concerns had been raised about the impact it could have on stores in the nearby town centre.

Sainsbury's also had to give a £485,000 contribution towards road improvements in the town.

Planning permission was granted following the unveiling of plans by supermarket giant Asda for a store and 170 homes on land owned by the Witney Lakes resort in Downs Road. Asda pledged to invest £3m in sports facilities in Witney if it was allowed to build the store, but ended up withdrawing plans at the end of last year, after coming up against opposition.

During consideration of the Sainsbury's application, the district council said its vision was to develop the town centre and edge-of-town shopping facilities, rather than out-of-town sites - such as Downs Road.

Witney has two other large food stores, Waitrose and Somerfield, and councillors said there was little opportunity for these to expand, because of their locations.

A planning application has since been submitted for 13 new shops - as well as a car park, cinema, and more than 100 homes - at Marriotts Close, in the town centre, although it has not been revealed which retailers may take up units if the plans are allowed.

Tesco, however, which runs several convenience stores in the town, have been ruled out. This planning application is due to be considered next month.

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