Navendu Mishra calls on Sainsbury’s to halt plans to close Stockport store

Plans to close a major supermarket in the heart of Stockport have been challenged by the MP.

Navendu Mishra this week wrote to Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Simon Roberts to ask him to reconsider the move to shut the Sainsbury’s Stockport Superstore in Warren Street.

In his letter Mr Mishra raised concerns that the decision will impact thousands of people across Stockport, including the 87 employees who now face the prospect of losing their livelihoods just weeks before Christmas. He stated that ‘In the middle of a pandemic and in precarious economic circumstances, this is incredibly worrying news, and I would urge you to reconsider.’

A petition against the plans has to date been signed by more than 700 people.

Mr Mishra asked the Sainsbury’s CEO for specific details about the future of the site, forecasts of the number of staff who will be made redundant and those that will be redeployed to other sites. In addition, he asked for clarification on ongoing plans for the Sainsbury’s Stockport Station Grand Central Square Local store, which has been closed for months.

Criticising the decision, Mr Mishra went on:

“This is even more concerning in light of last week’s announcement that more than 3,500 Sainsbury’s staff will be laid off over the course of the next three years. In the middle of the deepest economic crisis this country has ever faced, making hard-working staff who have helped to build the reputation of Sainsbury’s redundant is deeply disappointing.

“There must be another way; not least because of the fact your company received relief on business rates worth £230m in the first half of this year, despite being in a position to keep your doors open during the lockdown and continue to make substantial profits. Furthermore, making such a damaging decision for thousands of people at a time when you are paying £231m in dividends to your shareholders is plain wrong.”