Work begins on new Sainsbury’s at former Leamington pub site

The application to build the 2,368sq ft Sainsbury’s Local convenience store at the site of the Oak Inn, in Radford Road, was refused by Warwick District Council’s planning committee 12 months ago but the company lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate which was accepted - along with planning permission being granted - in July.

People living in the area had signed petitions citing fears the store would put Old Town shops out of business and cause road safety problems.

Expressing fears about the future of his family’s business across the road from the site, Narinderpal ‘Nikky’ Rai of Rai’s supermarket had described the application as an “unscrupulos attempt” by Sainsbury’s to “take over the grocery trade” in the area.

Speaking this week he said he was disappointed that the appeal had been accepted.

He added: “It’s hard to say how things will go for us, we’ll just have to see what happens over the next few months.”

The plans include an extension to the original pub building and a small customer car park.

Sainbsury’s has said the store will create between 20 and 25 full or part-time jobs.

Patrick Joyce, regional acquisitions manager for Sainsbury’s, has said: “The store will bring further choice to residents looking to top-up their shopping locally and will regenerate a derelict site.”