Major Retail Investment for Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham planning authorities have officially approved a significant £17.27 million project that will see Sainsbury's transform a former Homebase store in Sutton Coldfield into a comprehensive new supermarket. The development, located at the prominent junction of Jockey Road and Chester Road in New Oscott, represents one of the area's most substantial recent retail investments.
Store Features and Community Benefits
The new full-line Sainsbury's supermarket will feature the retailer's latest store standards and include an integrated Argos outlet offering thousands of products available for same-day collection. Customers will benefit from multiple click and collect services covering groceries, Argos orders, TU Clothing, and Habitat ranges.
Christian Wakelin, Sainsbury's head of supermarket property development, expressed enthusiasm about the approval: "We're thrilled that Birmingham City Council has approved our plans for Sutton Coldfield. This new supermarket will bring significant investment to the area, create new jobs, and offer a fantastic shopping experience for customers."
The development promises to generate approximately 100 full and part-time positions, with all former Homebase employees guaranteed interviews for the new roles. Sainsbury's has confirmed that its hourly pay outside London increased to £12.60 per hour from August 2025.
Addressing Local Concerns and Environmental Commitments
While the plans received strong support through extensive community engagement, some concerns were raised about potential traffic impacts. Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell highlighted residents' worries about increased congestion, particularly noting that the single entry and exit point in the car park design might prove inadequate.
Councillor Rob Pocock initially described the conversion as a 'net loss to the community' but later acknowledged Sainsbury's responsive approach to resident feedback. He stated: "I would like to thank Sainsbury's for responding with such care and concern to the comments raised by residents during the application process. This bodes well for a popular, environmentally positive and successful new facility within our local community!"
The development includes several environmental initiatives, including:
- A 100% renewable electricity supply
- A fabric-first energy strategy to improve building efficiency
- New pedestrian routes connecting to nearby bus stops
The supermarket giant has committed to continuing its tradition of supporting local charities and community initiatives, while regenerating this brownfield site to provide enhanced shopping options for Sutton Coldfield residents.
