Sainsbury’s opened its first ever supermarket in the town of Ludlow today, welcoming customers through the doors of the brand-new store following a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark its launch.
The 19,564 sq. ft store was opened by Deputy Mayor of Ludlow, Vivienne Parry, and Ludford Parish Council Chair Imogen Liddle, alongside local Ludlow Primary School pupil, Lottie Wells.
Lottie won a competition to design a limited-edition Sainsbury’s bag for life in celebration of the store’s arrival and the first 500 customers to pass through the entrance were lucky enough to take home a copy of her winning design.
Sainsbury’s plans to become Net Zero in its own operations by 2035 and the technology within the new Ludlow store has been designed to support this, making it the most energy efficient supermarket that Sainsbury’s has ever opened. From the beginning of next year it will rely on no fossil fuels or natural gas and will use 30% less energy than a similar-sized store would have three years ago.
With almost 29,000 products available to choose from throughout the new store, Sainsbury’s Ludlow is providing a boost to the local economy as well as bringing greater convenience and choice to the local community, all underpinned by Sainsbury’s brilliant customer service.
Food is at the heart of Sainsbury’s and the supermarket features a distinctive, new look ‘Fresh Food Market’ with an extensive range of fresh fruit and veg, food-to-go and an in-store bakery selling bread and cakes baked on the premises. There is also an enticing selection of branded and own-brand grocery products from dairy to deli favourites, frozen food, confectionary and savoury snacks, all of which include lots of vegetarian, vegan and free-from options.
Alongside its impressive food offer, Sainsbury’s Ludlow features a selection from Sainsbury’s iconic Habitat range selling stylish, modern classics under the retailer’s new brand commitment to ‘make your home a happy habitat’. The new supermarket also features an instore Argos inside the store, bringing together the much-loved brands of Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat under one roof and enabling customers to collect their Argos purchases whilst picking up their groceries.
The 95 colleagues who make up the new store team, almost all of whom are new to Sainsbury’s, will play an active role in the local community as well as supporting Sainsbury’s national charity partners. The new store will take part in Sainsbury’s Food Donation Programme, distributing surplus food locally as part of Sainsbury’s partnership with Neighbourly. The programme works to reduce the amount of food waste within stores’ operations and support charities and communities throughout the UK and since it was first launched in August this year, the partnership has already donated the equivalent of 373,036 meals nationwide.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director said: “I’m thrilled that we’ve opened our fourth supermarket of the year today, this time in Ludlow, meaning that we can now bring the very best of what Sainsbury’s has to offer to the local community.
“Sainsbury’s Ludlow is the most energy-efficient store of its size that we have ever opened, and we’ll be making further improvements to its ‘green’ credentials next year with the addition of new solar panels on the roof. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank local residents for their support and patience whilst we prepared this great new store for opening. I can’t wait to hear our customers’ feedback.”
Nigel Fox, Sainsbury’s Ludlow Store Manager said: “The Ludlow team have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming customers through the doors of the new store today, and we look forward to seeing many more as we enter the festive period.
“This is a really proud moment for Sainsbury’s as we launch a brilliant new store that puts our fantastic range of products and outstanding customer service on Ludlow’s doorstep for the first time.”
Vivienne Parry, Deputy Mayor of Ludlow said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Sainsbury’s to the Ludlow and Ludford community. They’ve always taken into consideration everything that was asked of them and the 95 new jobs at the store are really helping the local economy.”
Imogen Liddle, Chair of Ludford Parish Council said: “On behalf of Ludford Parish Council I would like to express my thanks to all those involved in this exciting and important endeavour, whether from Sainsbury’s, their contractors and suppliers or your local Ludford Parish Councillor Jeff Garraway.”
