Sainsbury's 'second best' say Marlow Waitrose shoppers

9:00am Tuesday 2nd February 2010

By James Nadal

WAITROSE shoppers have given a resounding thumbs down to the new Sainsbury's store set to replace it in Marlow.

Plans for supermarket giant Sainsbury's to build a bigger shop at the West Street site were approved last week by Wycombe District Council subject to conditions being met.

The decision appears to bring an end to the long running saga which began when Sainsbury's acquired the head lease in 2007.

Waitrose shoppers told the Free Press on Friday they will go to the company's own new store – to be built at the vacant Chapel House offices in Liston Road – or another of the company's stores in nearby towns such as Henley when the current shop closes.

Many said they felt a loyalty towards the company, part of the John Lewis brand, which has been in the town for 37 years.

Brian Wright, retired, 75, of Victoria Road, Marlow, said he would shop “wherever Waitrose go” and said he would not shop at Sainsbury's “out of principle”.

"When the national figures and ratings come out Waitrose always comes out on top, why do we want second best?”

He added: “Not only are Sainsbury's going to have one shop they're going to have two which I think is wrong.”

Sainsbury's confirmed last week it will keep its 'local' store on the High Street – even after the West Street redevelopment has happened.

Beth Davies, a housewife, of Chinnor Hill, Chinnor, said: “I will probably still go to Waitrose. I might go to the Waitrose in Thame. Sainsbury's is okay but maybe not quite as nice as Waitrose.”

Octogenarian Edmund Stuck, retired, of Lock Road, Marlow, said he had never been to Sainsbury's but felt a strong loyalty towards Waitrose.

He said: “We'll go down the road to the new one, or if not to the Waitrose in Beaconsfield.”

Andrew Spratley, 42, a sales director, of Glade Road, said: “I won't shop at Sainsbury's, they don't have the quality. I'm a loyal Waitrose customer, it's a real shame.”

Sandy Gifford, 61, a company director, of Quarry Wood Road, Marlow, said: “I will go to the new Waitrose or the one in Maidenhead. A lot of it is to do with the staff there, who are so terrific.”

Mrs Gifford said she sometimes shops in Sainsbury's but prefers Waitrose. “It's not so much the quality but I think the range of items is not as good,” she said.

However, Rebecca Gawith, 60, of Mundaydean Lane, said she often could not get items from Waitrose that she needs and has to go to Marks & Spencer or Sainsbury's Local anyway.

Mrs Gawith, who used to run Book Ends in Marlow, said: “I shall shop at Sainsbury's when it's a Sainsbury's.

“It's probable that I wouldn't shop here all the time if it was an Asda, but I might if it was a Tesco and I shall when it's a Sainsbury's."

Loudwater Tesco is her likely destination for a big shop while the Sainsbury's store is under construction, she added.

Will you go to the new Sainsbury's when it is built? Do you feel a loyalty to the supermarket chain you go to?