Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has submitted an application to open a new store in Dumfries, Scotland, at the site of a former Homebase store in Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park. If approved, the project is expected to create up to 100 new jobs and provide residents with greater convenience and choice.
The site, which became vacant after Homebase went into administration last year, is currently restricted by a planning condition that only permits the sale of non-food bulky goods. Sainsbury’s has applied for a modification to allow food and other essential items to be sold, enabling the conversion of the unit into a fully operational supermarket.
In a statement, the company highlighted the benefits the new store would bring to the local economy, including job creation and increased competition in the area. “This investment will enhance convenience for shoppers, foster healthy competition, increase consumer choice, and contribute positively to the local economy,” a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said.
A Strategic Expansion Move
Sainsbury’s does not currently have a store in Dumfries, making this a significant step in its broader expansion strategy. In August 2024, the supermarket chain announced plans to open multiple new stores across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on repurposing former Homebase locations.
While other sites have existing permissions to operate as retail stores, the Dumfries location is subject to a restriction aimed at protecting the town centre by limiting the types of goods that can be sold. Sainsbury’s argues that lifting this restriction would not negatively impact local businesses. A company assessment concluded that the new supermarket would not have a “significant adverse effect on the vitality and viability” of the Dumfries town centre.
If planning approval is granted, the store could be up and running later this year, providing both full-time and part-time job opportunities. The move is expected to offer residents a new grocery shopping destination while breathing new life into a site that has remained empty since Homebase’s closure.
As the proposal moves forward, it remains to be seen how local authorities will respond to Sainsbury’s request to modify the retail park’s planning conditions. If approved, the new supermarket could mark an important milestone in Sainsbury’s continued growth in Scotland
