Campaigners opposing Sainsbury’s two years ago

• WHEN will Sains­bury’s give up? Its proposals to open a Sainsbury’s Local at the old police station in Blackstock Road were turned down in 2017 by Islington Council.

Sains­bury’s then appealed and lost. And now Sains­bury’s is back again, one year later, with another planning application trying to wear down the council and campaigners.

In the latest application – P2018/1815/FUL – Sainsbury’s says that it is going to create 25-30 new in-store jobs. But we’re not going to be eating more food in Highbury or spending more money. Every local job that Sainsbury’s creates will be at the expense of jobs and livelihoods in neighbouring shops.

At a time when high streets across the country are struggling, we shouldn’t be exacerbating the problem by creating more retail space. If Sainsbury’s wants to move into Blackstock Road, it should wait until an existing, suitable retail space becomes available.

JOHN ACKERS
Highbury Grove, N5