With a hardware and home improvement store closing at the end of the year, fresh details have emerged over Sainbury’s plans to open its doors in Lowestoft for the first time next year.
As Homebase Lowestoft has been serving customers from its current unit at the Tower Retail Park in south Lowestoft since December 2003, ‘everything must go’ and ‘all stock reduced’ posters appeared last month alongside the ‘store closing – this location only’ signs.
As it is understood that the Homebase Lowestoft store is set to close its doors at the end of December and be “vacated in early 2025”, Sainsbury’s has now lodged plans with East Suffolk Council to remove a current condition on the existing store.
The plans show how up to 100 jobs will be created and £20m in annual turnover is expected at the new store.
Proposals from agents WSP, on behalf of the applicant Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd for Homebase Ltd, Tower Road, Gisleham in Lowestoft – centring around “Variation of Condition” – are currently ‘awaiting decision’ with the council after being submitted this month.
With approval sought “for a minor material amendment to conditions, it states: “Some of the stores, including the one at Lowestoft are currently subject to a planning condition that limits the range of goods that can be sold.”
Plans lodged aim “to remove this condition, allowing Sainsbury’s to sell food and other convenience goods from the existing retail store”.
It adds: “Currently, Sainsbury’s is not represented in Lowestoft, and the opportunity to open a new store in the existing Homebase unit will bring Sainsbury’s quality and value food offering to the area”
As Sainsbury’s requires a store with “less floorspace than the existing Homebase currently provides,” it earmarks “removing the mezzanine floor and external garden centre, to create a new Sainsbury’s of 2,863sq m gross with a net sales area of 1,672sq m”.
‘Significant investment in Lowestoft’
With no external alterations proposed, apart from removing the garden centre, a planning and retail statement adds: “The application proposal will provide a significant amount of employment for the local population and therefore will contribute to the local economy.
“Homebase employ 25 people at the application site, all existing Homebase employees will be invited to apply for roles within the Sainsbury’s store.
“And applicants will be guaranteed an interview.
“The proposals will create employment for up to 100 people in a mix of full-time and part-time roles, equating to approximately 65 full-time equivalent (FTE) on-site jobs.”
With “this significant investment in Lowestoft” it adds: “Since the proposal reuses the existing Homebase building, these new jobs can be created quickly.
“Subject to the outcome of this application, Sainsbury’s intends to commence work on the conversion early in 2025, and open later in the year.”
It adds the construction phase “is expected to take place over a three to six month period” – with around 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) on-site jobs created over the construction phase.
‘Economic benefits’
According to the Planning and Retail Statement, based on company data and an estimated turnover of the proposed Sainsbury’s store, it states: “The total turnover of the proposed Sainsbury’s store will be £20.4m in 2027.”
It concludes: “The proposals will bring employment and economic benefits to Lowestoft and result in a net increase in jobs available.”
Gisleham Parish Council recommended the application be approved at a meeting last week.
East Suffolk Council is likely to make a decision in the coming weeks.