Sainsbury’s Foss Bank closes today after more than 40 years at the heart York.
Many of the staff have already relocated to the Monks Cross store and stock has been run down in the run-up to the closure.
It will shut its doors for the final time at 6pm tonight (Saturday, 11 January).
The supermarket had to leave the site after the landlord didn’t offer an extension to its lease after it expires this month.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We would like to thank our loyal customers for their support throughout the store’s many years of serving the local community, and for all the kind messages we have received since this news was announced.
“We understand this will be an unsettling time for everyone this affects and have been committed to doing everything we can to support them – this has included offering opportunities for our colleagues to redeploy to alternative roles within Sainsbury’s.”
A campaign to save the store was launched by Guildhall councillors Dave Merrett, Rachel Melly and Tony Clarke. Their petition garnered more than 1,300 signatures.
Sadly, though, it was unsuccessful, and a store used and loved by many will shut today.
Shoppers have told YorkMix how important the Foss Bank Sainsbury’s has been for the community.
One said: “I’ve shopped there since we moved here in 1986. Out of all the supermarkets it is a nice calm place. The staff are absolutely wonderful.”
Another said: “Been my corner shop, my go to for odds and ends, and my groceries every week for the last 30-plus years. Not looking forward to having to go to Monks Cross.”
The site is to be redeveloped by Argo Real Estate Ltd and Fusion Group. Both Sainsbury’s and the already vacant Go Outdoors store will be demolished.
The plan is to build:
- student accommodation with around 1,450 bedrooms
- approximately 175 apartments
- commercial buildings with about 500 sq m of floorspace
- and public open space.
You can read more about that here. Today though is a moment to reflect on a store that has been serving countless shoppers for more than four decades.
