‘It will be greatly missed’: Chron readers share fond memories as Northampton Sainsbury’s shuts after 46 years

A huge blow has been dealt to Northampton as Sainsbury’s has shut after more than four decades serving the town centre.

The supermarket in Princes Walk, Grosvenor Centre shut its doors for one final time on Saturday (March 6).

As the store had been open for nearly 46 years, it is firmly cemented in Northampton’s history and most of the town’s residents have memories of the shop.

After Chronicle & Echo posted an article about the closure, hundreds of readers, including customers and former staff members, took to social media to share their fond memories and express their sadness about the closure.

One former staff member said: “So sad to hear Sainsbury’s closing.

“I spent half my life working there. Everyone was so happy to do their work and we made lovely friends.

“Good luck to all who work there now hope you manage to get a job in the other Sainsbury’s.”

A customer added: “I love this Sainsbury’s. I go in after a bank visit. This is a real shame especially for the elderly who can not get to the out of town supermarkets.

“Really hope they have relocated their helpful and friendly staff.”

Another said: “As a weekly customer, this is utterly disappointing for me. Saying the Weedon Road store exists doesn't solve things when you can't drive.

“And the fact my mum worked there and was pregnant with me whilst she worked there too is just another piece of history attached to it.”

Another commenter added: “Do you remember going into Sainsburys in the Grosvenor, for a few bits when we finished work at Beatties back in the 90's? Those were the days!”

And a former customer commented: “Sign of the times. In the late 70s, early 80s my parents most Friday evenings would drive into town park in the Grosvenor and do the weekly shop, as kids we were told this was a treat as we tagged along (and believed them).

“With the out of town options (Mereway, Sixfields etc) I am surprised it has survived as long as it has.”

Many readers were also keen to point out the closure of Greyfriars bus station and the effect it had on the store.

One commenter said: “Closing Greyfriars was the cause of a slow death for Sainsbury’s unfortunately. Lovely staff and helpful.”

Another added: “Very sad. The writing was on the wall when the bus station closed.”

Another said: “A lot of the demise was caused by the Greyfriars bus station being demolished so there was no through pedestrian flow.”

But the overwhelming feeling from residents was one of sadness that the supermarket will no longer be a part of the town.

One reader commented: “I’ve been shopping there for many years...Staff are fantastic...I wish them all the best and thank them for the service they have provided through the years...and especially through the pandemic.”

Another added: “This shop will be greatly missed. Thank you to all the staff for really great service over the years.

“We are losing the best supermarket in town and now we have to catch a bus to go all the way to Sixfields to go shopping and taxi home so that puts up the shopping bill and it's not good for the elderly.”

Another said: “Such a great store and staff are all very helpful. It will be missed very much.

“Thank you to all the staff. Hope to see you at another Sainsburys soon.”

More memories of the store and the hard working staff can be found here.

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