A NEW Sainsbury’s Local has opened in Droitwich’s Copcut Rise estate a couple of years after its somewhat controversial developmental application was approved.
The new supermarket is situated in a new business park within the 740–home Copcut Rise residential development.
The store has officially opened alongside a near 140 space car park which will serve other amenities within the business park including a drive-thru Costa Coffee, which opened earlier this month.
The new Sainsbury’s also features eight Smart Charge ultra-rapid EV charging bays within the car park.
Developer, Witton Estates’ proposals proved controversial back in 2023 due to a dislike of the store’s design which was believed to not be in keeping with local architecture and a perceived over-estimation of how many jobs the supermarket would generate was also a cause for concern.
Fears were also raised by well over 100 residents on issues relating to increased traffic, a lack of infrastructure to support the proposal and fear it would result in more crime, anti-social behaviour, littering and pest infestations.
Despite this, plans were ultimately given the green light by Wychavon District Council in July 2023 with the supermarket and coffee shop now officially open for business.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s chief property and procurement officer & managing director of Smart Charge, said: “All of us at Sainsbury’s are passionate about providing Good food for all of us and we want to bring more of it within easy reach of more customers wherever we can.
“We’re delighted to have launched our newest Sainsbury’s Local in Copcut Rise today, complete with Smart Charge – Sainsbury’s ultra-rapid EV charging service – in the store’s spacious customer car park.
“Our investment in Droitwich has created jobs and will provide a convenient place for the local community to shop and charge their EVs for years to come.”
