Sainsbury's confirm store for new Stockton retail site

The big-name brand, which has hundreds of stores across the UK, has committed to a new trade park within Wynyard Business Park in Stockton-on-Tees after the site gained permission at the end of last week.

On Friday (April 26), Northumberland Estates confirmed that it had gained permission for a 52,000 sq ft of retail space and a 45,000 sq ft trade park next to the Stockton business park.

A Sainsbury's store (Image: SAINSBURY'S)

According to the developers, the ambitious project supports Tees Valley’s Strategic Economic Plan and the Local Industrial Strategy to deliver economic growth and job creation in the area.

The first phase of development is expected to start in May 2024 with the site being fully operational by May 2025.

Already, Sainsbury's has confirmed that a new store will open, with Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director, saying: “We’re delighted to confirm that we’re bringing a brand new Sainsbury’s supermarket to Wynyard Business Park, representing a major investment in the region and creating new jobs. 

A mock-up of how the Stockton site will look once built (Image: NORTHUMBERLAND ESTATES)

"We have an unbeatable combination of quality fresh food, competitive prices, innovative products, useful bright ideas and enthusiastic people, which will all help us to bring good food to more of our customers in and around Tees Valley.” 

No more details about the trade park or business park have been confirmed, while Sainsbury's hasn't commented about when its supermarket will open.

Alongside the confirmation from Sainsbury's, Northumberland Estates has hinted that Burger King has put forward its interest in a branch at the new site. 

Burger King has also registered its interest for the site (Image: PA MEDIA)

An image of how the business park could look once it's completed has been released, showing the Sainsbury's store front and centre.

Wynyard Business Park currently forms a high-quality landscaped mixed-use commercial development, which is home to over 60 businesses employing approximately 5,000 people.

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The 30,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s store alone is expected to create at least 120 jobs.

Anthony Cape, Senior Asset Manager at Northumberland Estates said: “We have seen really strong interest from businesses in the trade and retail sectors for this new development, and we hope to be in the position to confirm details of some of those occupiers in the coming months.”

The proposed development incorporates renewable energy measures within the scheme, including EV charging points and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which will store energy from solar panels and release it when demand requires.