Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s will open a new store in Wirral Waters in Birkenhead docklands after securing council approval. Tony McDonough reports
Sainsbury’s will open a new 4,300 sq ft store in Wirral Waters next door to a £130m residential development after securing consent from the council.
Work on the Sainsbury’s Local outlet, located on the corner of Dock Road and Duke Street, will begin in the autumn with completion expected in early 2026. It will be next door the £130m Millers Quay residential development.
Recently completed, Millers Quay comprises 500 apartments for rent across six blocks with 100 of the apartments classed as ‘affordable’. This means rents are no higher than 80% of full market rate.
LBN revealed plans for the supermarket in July 2024. Providing a number of local jobs, the store will offer Sainsbury’s usual range of food and other convenience products. It will open daily between 7am and 11pm.
Other features will include a free cash machine and a collection point for customers to order and collect from Argos, Tu clothing and Habitat. It will also be accessible from the new quayside walkway along Northbank.
In keeping with Wirral Waters’ environmental credentials, the store will include a number of sustainability measures. It will be powered by 100% renewable electricity and will feature 100% LED lighting throughout.
As an extension of the Millers Quay site, the construction of the new store will also engage students from Wirral Met College in the construction of this important local amenity.
David Pilbeam, Sainsbury’s director of acquisitions, capital projects and engineering, said: “We’re delighted that plans for our new store at Millers Quay have been approved, bringing us one step closer to delivering a fantastic new Sainsbury’s Local for the community in Wirral Waters and creating new jobs for local people.
“We’d like to thank everyone in the community who has supported us in our plans so far and we look forward to progressing with the new store.”
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Richard Mawdsley, director of development at Wirral Waters, added: “We’re very excited to have secured Sainsbury’s who will provide an essential amenity for the new and growing community at Wirral Waters.
“It is important that those choosing to live in this newly regenerated neighbourhood have access to a walkable and high-quality convenience store, as well as new jobs and training opportunities.”