Sainsbury's has signed a deal with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to take 136,000 sq ft at Ansty Park near Coventry.

The retail giant has announced major plans to move its general merchandise and clothing store support centre from Walsgrave Triangle in Coventry to the former Ericsson buildings at Ansty Park. The relocation will see all 530 staff from its existing centre transfer to the new site.

Sainsbury's has already announced its intention to grow its non-food business to £1 billion as part of its ’20 by 20’ vision. The move to Ansty Park will provide state-of-the art facilities with the potential to further shape and invest in the site to help meet Sainsbury's future ambitions.


Margaret Allen, Executive Director for the HCA Midlands, said: “This announcement is fantastic news for the community around Ansty and the wider Coventry and Warwickshire area, bringing a significant boost to local economic growth.

"The Ansty site, owned by the HCA as part of our Economic Assets Programme, is one of the best located business parks in the country and we are continuing to work with Rugby Borough Council, Coventry City Council and Highbridge Properties to attract more high value occupiers. Together with the recently-completed Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ansty Park is fast becoming a high-quality established business location."

Roger Burnley, Sainsbury’s MD of General Merchandise, Clothing and Logistics, said: "Since we opened our store support centre at Walsgrave Triangle, both the general merchandise and clothing teams have expanded considerably. The relocation to Ansty Park, a mere mile away from our current site, provides us with bigger, brighter, and more modern premises including additional meetings rooms, a new canteen area, as well as improved parking and cycle facilities. It’s a great opportunity which will enable us to achieve our goals."

(CD)