Dorridge Sainsbury's opens its doors - The Solihull Observer

Dorridge Sainsbury's opens its doors

Solihull Editorial 26th Nov, 2014 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

A LINE was drawn under years of controversy, disputes and disagreements as Sainsbury’s opened its new supermarket in the heart of Dorridge this week.

The community had been – and in some quarters still is – divided about the development, with fears over increased traffic and a damaging knock-on effect to local businesses.

Only time will give a clear indication how founded or unfounded these fears may be.

But for now, Dorridge has finally shed its outdated and ugly Forest Court precinct.




In its place stands a brand new supermarket for the village, a brand new doctors’ surgery and pharmacy and a variety of new retail units.

A total of 180 new jobs have also been created and there are also 180 parking spaces including disabled and parent/child facilities, free for all local uses for up to two hours.


Residents have been taking to social media sites to give their opinions about the new store.

And here are a few of their views:

“I reckon a few more months and Sainsbury’s could have pulled the plug on the scheme so Dorridge could have been stuck with a vacant shopping centre indefinitely.

“Whatever the rights / wrongs, it’s up and open so hope for the village’s sake it succeeds. And good luck to those who have found jobs there too.”

“Many of us still have serious reservations about the development.

“For all the benefits to shoppers, there are disbenefits to local residents.

“It is a high impact development and a traffic magnet.

“Dorridge is now more brightly lit than most town centres, let alone a village.

“This conventional, large supermarket will encourage shopping on Sundays and later at night so we will lose some more of dark skies, our peace and quiet.

“We will all have to be more careful crossing the roads.

“It remains to be seen if the traffic scheme works and if the underlying parking issues can be resolved. I hope they can.

“Like many, I had wished for something different, something innovative, something better in Dorridge.”

“Well done Sainsbury’s – am convinced you will be an asset to us in Dorridge.”

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