Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, East of England Co-op to become Sainsbury’s after transfer announced
A coastal town’s Co-op store will become a Sainsbury’s after the company announced plans to transfer and lease it.
East of England Co-op confirmed on Thursday it would relinquish the lease for its Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, shop.
The announcement comes as the business sought to continue its focus on ‘returning to profit’.
Another of its outlets in Brightlinsea will be transferred to Sainsbury’s while it is in conversations with a second retailer in regards to its Weavers Court, Halstead, branch.
Doug Field, CEO at East of England Co-op, said: “We’ve informed our colleagues and tenants at our Brightlingsea, Felixstowe and Halstead supermarkets of our plans to lease and transfer these sites as going concerns, protecting both jobs and local services.
“This is in no way a reflection on our incredible colleagues, who provide fantastic service to our members and customers.
“We’ll keep affected colleagues and our members updated as these discussions progress.”
Mr Field added letting the sites will provide the society with long term rental income, which will help it to invest in new, modern facilities.
Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re excited to be bringing Sainsbury’s supermarkets to Felixstowe and Brightlingsea for the first time and we look forward to welcoming these new stores into Sainsbury’s next year.”
It is expected the existing staff at the stores will transfer to Sainsbury’s as part of a Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) process.
East of England Co-op confirmed its petrol station at the Felixstowe site is unaffected by the transfer, as well as its tenants. The freehold will remain under its ownership.
The England Co-op Travel branch in the shop will relocate to a nearby location in due course.
Its accompanying Funeral Services outlet, also on Hamilton Road, is unaffected by the announcement.
