Sainsbury’s returning to Thame
THE giant supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is to take over a large empty retail space in Thame town centre.
ThameNews.Net learnt today that Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, which closed its Sainsbury’s Local shop at the Shell petrol station late last year, is to take over the empty Woolworth’s shop in Thame High Street.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Thamenews.net: “We were disappointed to leave Thame following the closure of the Shell garage. Since then Sainsbury?s has been monitoring opportunities in the area and we are delighted to have acquired the former Woolworths store. We consider a number of factors in store location planning, but the main reason for returning to Thame is to provide food choice in the town ? the Sainsbury?s offer of great products at fair prices.
“Being located at the heart of the high street on Market Square and benefiting from 60 car park spaces to the rear, we feel the store will be a positive addition to the town in terms of food choice, new jobs and our input into the community.”
When asked specifically whether Sainsbury’s would be competing for the same customer base as Waitrose, who are already in the town, the spokesperson said: “Obviously there is a need for another food outlet in the town otherwise it would not be financially viable for us to go there.”
Refurbishment and re-branding of the empty shop, which covers 7000 sq ft, will begin in October and Sainsbury’s say that they hope the store will open in time for Christmas 2009.
Sainsbury’s recently took over the empty Woolworth’s in Henley-On-Thames and has plans in place to open 50 convenience stores in this financial year, with another 100 due next year.
