Shoppers in London's and Castle will have the chance to sample a brand-new Sainsbury’s Local from today with the opening of the retailer’s latest convenience store, Elephant and Castle Newington Butts Local.
Ileri Ogunbanwo from local charity Vauxhall Foodbank, which is partnered with the store, joined Southwark Ward Councillor Charlie Smith and Sainsbury’s colleagues to cut the ribbon and welcome customers for the first time.
Located on the ground floor of local Southwark landmark ‘One The Elephant’, the new 2,500 sq. ft. store is now open for customers from 7am-11pm seven days a week. It will showcase Sainsbury’s latest range of great value, high quality fresh food, fruit and veg and seasonal favourites, along with branded and own brand grocery products.
Fresh bread and pastries will be baked in the store every day and customers will have the chance to pick up hot drinks from the instore Costa Coffee machine. A new Argos Click and Collect point is also coming soon, which will allow customers to order Argos products online before collecting instore whenever it suits them.
As part of its sustainability ambitions, known as Plan for Better, Sainsbury’s is committed to using 100% renewable electricity across its entire estate, meaning that the new store will not rely on any fossil fuels for its heating, lighting, refrigeration and ventilation needs.
The new Local store team, which is made up of 7 existing colleagues and 13 who are new to Sainsbury’s, will join Sainsbury’s Elephant and Castle superstore in supporting the local community.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said, “We are very pleased to unveil our latest investment in Elephant and Castle, which is creating jobs as well as a convenient new place for local residents and workers to shop. The store looks fantastic and I feel sure it will live up to our customers’ high expectations of Sainsbury’s.”
Adam Spillett, Sainsbury’s Elephant and Castle Newington Butts Local Store Manager, said, “It has been an exciting day for me and my team and we look forward to helping our customers find great value, high quality Sainsbury’s products instore.
'It’s important to us that we play an active role in the local community and it’s been great to start getting to know it now our store is open.”