Sainsbury's confirms Local interest in Brockley

Sainsbury's have confirmed that they have identified Brockley as a possible location for a new Sainsbury's Local store. Sainsbury's Local is the company's convenience store brand and a spokesperson has confirmed that they are considering a number of sites in Brockley, although none is yet confirmed.

For months, BC readers have been speculating that a supermarket chain planned to open in the area. Initially, rumours focused on Tesco being committed to opening at Bridge House on Mantle Road, but this was denied by the landlords. More recently, neighbourhood buzz has focused on Sainsbury's and we have been contacted by readers with rumours about interest in a number of sites around Brockley Cross and Brockley Station.

The news should come as little surprise. Brockley is now on the tube map, its profile has been growing and its demographics changing. It is not only independents like the Broca, The Orchard, Degustation and Brown's of Brockley that have responded, the now-well-stocked wine shelves in Costcutter and the changes in the kinds of brands advertised on local billboards, are proof that big business has recognised the changes afoot.

For the sake of full disclosure, BC should note that in our day job, Sainsbury's is a client and although we have no inside knowledge on the story [reader Catman must be credited with the initial detective work] we will refrain from making further comment on this issue, other than to point out that in 2007 we argued that local businesses could co-exist with the new Tesco on Lewisham Way and that in 2010, we believe this has been borne out.

The Sainsbury's Local press office has agreed to keep us informed should there be any significant updates to the situation.