A SUPERMARKET giant is set to open a new store in Southampton.

Sainsbury’s has won permission to build a new Local branch in the city.

The new store – which will employ up to 25 people – will be located on the site of the former Heli Beds shop in Bevois Valley Road.

That will be knocked down in the next couple of months and replaced with the new 379sq m convenience shop, which will stock a smaller range of goods than the firm’s larger supermarkets.

There are currently three Sainsbury’s Locals in Southampton – in Bedford Place, Hill Lane and Burgess Road.

Demolition Its opening hours will run from 7am to 11pm, and there will also be 18 car parking spaces at the site.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said the site was chosen due to its location on a prominent road with a good residential catchment and a student population.

Construction work will start immediately after demolition is complete, and the new shop could open in the autumn.

‘More choice’ The company’s acquisition manager, Oliver A’Court, said: “We are very pleased to receive planning permission for this store – we have been hoping to open a Local store in this area for a long time.

“Our Local stores offer people additional choice on their doorstep, and the ability for people to top up on their weekly shop, or simply pop in for the odd item.

“We very much look forward to welcoming people to our new store.”