Sainsbury’s opens new supermarket as part of Silkstream regeneration project in North West London

In a significant development for North West London, Sainsbury’s and St George, a member of the Berkeley Group, have marked substantial progress in the Silkstream regeneration project, which has been underway for four years. On 20th November, Sainsbury’s unveiled its latest supermarket, a state-of-the-art facility spanning 43,000 square feet, designed to serve both the local community and the new residents of the area. This milestone coincided with the welcoming of the first residents to Silkstream, showcasing the project’s evolution from a vision to a tangible reality.

The Silkstream project aims to create a low-carbon, nature-rich neighbourhood with a total of 1,300 new homes. These homes will comprise a mix of elegant Manhattan suites and one to three bedroom apartments. In addition to housing, Silkstream is designed to offer a range of green spaces, including a public park measuring 1.5 acres, landscaped podium gardens covering 1.4 acres, and a 175-metre oxbow lake, all intended to enhance the quality of life for residents and foster biodiversity in the area.

Sainsbury’s new store is positioned to play a vital role in the community, aligning with the retailer’s ambition to provide a delightful shopping experience centred on high-quality food. The store features several innovative offerings aimed at making good food accessible to the public. Among the highlights is the ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging service known as Smart Charge, which includes ten dedicated accessible charging bays. The store also boasts undercover parking for over 250 vehicles, thereby improving convenience for shoppers.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Group Property, Procurement & EV Ventures, expressed enthusiasm about the new store’s opening, stating, “We’re excited that customers and residents alike can now start to enjoy the benefits.” He highlighted the long-standing presence of Sainsbury’s in Hendon, extending back more than 30 years, and the importance of this project in serving the evolving needs of the community.

The Silkstream undertaking is not only a substantial residential project but also aims to provide economic benefits through job creation. The site is expected to generate a plethora of job opportunities throughout its 10-year build programme, including over 200 paid work placements and more than 50 apprenticeships. Sainsbury’s commitment to the local community extends beyond employment; it has pledged to support charitable initiatives and food donation programmes throughout the local area.

St George’s Managing Director, Marcus Blake, highlighted the significance of the newly opened store, remarking, “It has been fantastic seeing the evolution from brownfield land to a place that people can now call home.” He emphasised St George’s commitment to creating high-quality environments for all demographics, aiming for continued development in the coming years, which will include additional shops, restaurants, and recreational spaces.

Currently, homes within the Silkstream development are available for purchase, with prices commencing at £438,000, signifying the opening of a new chapter in the area’s residential offerings. The project intends to enhance the allure of North West London, catering to diverse living needs while integrating modern commercial facilities.

Sainsbury’s has been proactive in reimagining its sites as mixed-use developments, having delivered over 2,000 homes since 2009 and currently planning to extend its housing reach with an additional 10,000 homes across London. With ambitious plans for around 20 new supermarkets in the next 18 months, the retailer remains focused on combining urban living with accessible amenities to foster community-centric neighbourhoods.

Source: Noah Wire Services