New Sainsbury’s superstore to be built at Gloucester Quays

British Waterways and Peel, the developers behind the £200m Gloucester Quays development, today confirmed that Sainsbury’s, one of the UK’s most popular supermarket operators will build a new foodstore on the Gloucester Quays site.

The 84,000 square foot store will bring the people of Gloucester increased choice and quality of products. The foodstore will have 450 parking spaces, a petrol filling station and a customer café overlooking the canal.

Mark Maddock, Development Manager for the Gloucester Quays Joint Venture commented: “We are delighted to have secured a retailer of such quality and who attaches a strong importance to creating a sustainable development. Sainsbury’s is the first of several big names to be attracted to the scheme and will help raise the profile of the development.”

Several retailers expressed interest in the foodstore site which will be located next to the canal and a new bridge that are currently under construction. The Gloucester Quays Partnership believe that Sainsbury’s proposals were most suited to the site and complemented other retail offerings available in the City.

The Partnership recognised Sainsbury’s reputation for environmentally friendly practices and believe the new store will reflect this approach. Formerly occupied by a mixture of derelict industrial units, the site will be transformed by the proposed store which will be an integral part of this vibrant new area of the City.

Sainsbury’s Regional Development Executive, Jamie Cowen, added:

“We are delighted that a Sainsbury’s store has been selected for such an important site within this major development for Gloucester. We look forward to being able to deliver a first class shopping experience at Gloucester Quays, within a building which is designed to reflect its historic surroundings as well as respect its environment through the careful management of energy use.”

Today’s news represents a major element within the comprehensive redevelopment scheme which received planning permission last year. The land forms part of the Gloucester Quays partnership between British Waterways and Peel that was established in 1999.

The remainder of the Gloucester Quays scheme is progressing well with the new lifting road bridge over the canal and final section of the Inner Relief Road under construction and due to open next Spring. Demolition of the main site for the new Designer Outlet Centre on Bakers Quay is underway with construction due to start shortly. The site was unaffected by the recent floods.

The new Sainsbury’s store is expected to open by Christmas 2008.