Quick turnaround sees closed Blackpool store reopen as a Nisa

The former Sainsbury’s Local on Whitegate Drive will become part of the Nisa convenience store chain and created 15 jobs.

While the shop will be open for Christmas, its full signage and branding will arrive in the New Year after the sale deal was completed in just three weeks.

Sainsbury’s has been reorganising nationally and the local shop was earmarked for closure following an announcement in September.

The company said staff at the store had been offered roles in other nearby Sainsbury’s stores.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “Our Blackpool Whitegate Drive Local has now closed.

“We understand this will be an unsettling time for those affected and we’re supporting them in any way we can.

“Colleagues have the opportunity to redeploy to other roles in the area and customers can continue to shop with us at our nearby supermarket.”

Nisa partner company, Amacor Capital Ltd, has taken on the Blackpool site to trade as a Nisa Local and be the 12th store in its North West-based stable.

Martin Corban, managing director at Amacor, said: “Throughout this year local convenience stores have really grown in importance and we are keen to seize the opportunity to build on this and invest in sites that we believe we can take forward.”

The store will be refurbished to feature an expanded alcohol section, a food-to-go offering, a Rollover machine, and Rijo42 coffee machine as well as the normal convenience store offerings found in Nisas across the area.

Martin Corban, managing director at Amacor, said: “Throughout this year local convenience stores have really grown in importance and we are keen to seize the opportunity to build on this and invest in sites that we believe we can take forward.

“We are ambitious and have plans to grow our business considerably over the next 12 months.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to expand and are interested in sites which are already trading and have potential to grow further.”

The Head of Key Accounts at Nisa, Victoria Lockie said: “Working with a progressive business like Amacor is very exciting for us and we’ve enjoyed being able to support their growth strategy throughout this year.

“Next year looks equally as promising and we’re looking forward to working alongside the team to bring new stores into Nisa and continue to help grow the new and the existing stores.”

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