The newest store to arrive in Sainsbury’s estate, St Albans Station Approach Local, has today welcomed the first customers through its doors.
Opening as part of the wider upgrade and extension works to Thameslink’s St Albans City station, the store will offer nearby residents, commuters and visitors a convenient new place to shop from 7am to 11pm seven-days-a week.
Councillor Edgar Hill, Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, joined colleagues to cut the ribbon and celebrate the store opening. The brand-new 2,416 sq. ft. Sainsbury’s Local will feature the very latest high-quality, low-priced convenience range the retailer has to offer, including fresh food, fruit and veg and a selection of branded and own-brand groceries.
The store will also provide newspapers and magazines for commuters and shoppers to pick up as they pass through the busy station, alongside fresh bread and pastries baked instore every day and a Costa Coffee machine.
Customers will have the option to checkout using Mobile Pay or SmartShop, Sainsbury’s scan, pay and go technology, allowing them to pay for products using their smartphones – making the process faster and more convenient.
Sainsbury’s is committed to supporting the communities it serves and of the 26 colleagues that make up the St Albans Station team, 17 are new to the company. All colleagues will play an active role in the local area and the store will connect with one or more food donation partners to ensure that any surplus food from the store is reattributed to those in the community who need it most.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said, “I’m delighted that we have been able to extend our investments in St Albans with the opening of our fifth store in the district of St Albans, creating new jobs for local people and bringing Sainsbury’s great value, high quality convenience offer within easy reach of more customers.”
Samir Khan, Sainsbury’s St Albans Station Approach Local Store Manager, said: “I’m really proud of the fantastic colleagues that have come together to make up my new team. Many of us have lived in St Albans for years and we’re a diverse group that reflects the local community.
“We can’t wait to welcome customers to our exciting new store, providing the helpful and friendly service they expect from Sainsbury’s while they pick up their groceries.”