Sainsbury’s has opened its first supermarket in Dumfries after securing approval to convert a former Homebase unit despite objections from Tesco and Morrisons. The retailer invested £17 million in the store at Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park, extending its presence into a town previously served by its branch in Carlisle.
The supermarket opened on July 23 and occupies a unit of about 48,100 square feet. Sainsbury’s agreed to a 15-year lease for the property and said the store would create at least 100 jobs.
Planning Rules Previously Limited Food Sales
When Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park was approved more than 25 years ago, planning conditions restricted its units mainly to bulky, non-food goods such as furniture, hardware and home improvement products. The rules were intended to protect shops in Dumfries town centre.
The restrictions were later amended for retailers including B&M and The Food Warehouse. Next also opened at the park after challenging the original conditions, providing a precedent for Sainsbury’s application.
Sainsbury’s argued that the former Homebase unit had remained empty and that no suitable town-centre alternative was available. The supermarket said its plans would return the building to use while giving local customers another grocery option.
Tesco and Morrisons Raised Town-Centre Concerns
Tesco, which operates a large supermarket close to the new store, argued that the council’s assessment contained serious weaknesses. It said the proposal had not demonstrated a need for another food store and could have a significant effect on the town centre.
Morrisons, which has a supermarket closer to central Dumfries, raised similar concerns. It cited the council’s 2024 Retail Study and argued that the town did not have an identified shortage of grocery floorspace.
Public comments submitted during the planning process supported the project, citing greater supermarket competition and new employment opportunities. Dumfries and Galloway Council officers concluded that the development would not cause a significantly adverse impact on the town centre.
They also found that the store could operate without unacceptable effects on road safety or nearby homes. Planning permission was therefore granted to change how the unit could be used.
Former Homebase Unit Returns to Use
Property owner NewRiver initially announced the Sainsbury’s lease in March 2025. It said the agreement would reactivate the vacant Homebase building and add a major grocery retailer to a park that already included Dunelm, B&M, The Food Warehouse and Next.
NewRiver later sold Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park for £26.5 million in March 2026. The company cited the new Sainsbury’s lease as one of the changes that had improved the property’s tenant mix and rental income.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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