It's the first business to open in the building
05:00, 04 May 2023
The new Sainsbury's Local at Coventry railway station(Image: Sainsbury's)
A Sainsbury's Local is the first shop to open at the new Coventry train station more than a year after a multi-million revamp. The supermarket has opened a branch on the ground floor of the new station building.
It will welcome customers from 6am-11pm seven days a week. It comes 14 months after the station extension was finished, providing new retail units, toilets and better access to platforms.
A new bus terminal and a 629-space car park were also part of the £82 million redevelopment scheme which was unveiled to the public in March 2022. Station manager Maria McCarron hailed the move as "the start of the retail transformation" and said more shops will be on the way.
READ MORE: First look inside Coventry's new train station now work is finally finished
Ms McCarron, of Avanti West Coast, said: "Our customers are really starting to see the benefit of the new station. Easier access, improved facilities and now the start of the retail transformation with the arrival of Sainsbury’s, and more shops to follow later this year."
“We’re also just about to open our new Courtyard area on platform 1, offering our customers a place to relax whilst they wait for their trains," she added.
The city council is now looking forward to more businesses opening at the station. Sainsbury's staff also gave their thoughts on the move, with one saying the branch had got off to a "flying start."
Liam Roberts, who manages the new store, said: "It’s great to now be open for business in Coventry Station, serving and helping customers as they try out their brand new Sainsbury’s store.
"I’m really pleased with the response we’ve had from people so far. I’d like to thank everyone for being so welcoming, as well as my team who are doing a fantastic job and enabling us to get off to a flying start."
GV from Coventry Train Station where commuters have chosen to work from home as the RMT union goes on the biggest rail strike in 30 years.(Image: )
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, added: "We’re delighted to have opened a fresh, modern store as part of the redevelopment of Coventry Station and Friargate. Our station Local stores consistently prove a hit with customers, who appreciate being able to pop into Sainsbury’s whenever they are passing through, and I look forward to seeing our new Coventry Station store flourish."
Freshly baked goods, food-to-go and a Costa Coffee machine are part of the new shop and the store also has a collection point for online orders from Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing.
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