Sainsbury's is to open a new supermarket in Jericho.

For years the Co-op has been the only supermarket in Walton Street.

There are two stores but now it will face competition from a Sainsbury's Local store at the former health centre.

The new supermarket will open next Thursday, the chain has confirmed.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We’re excited to be bringing a brand new Sainsbury’s Local to customers in the Jericho neighbourhood with our newest convenience store on the estate set to open next Thursday.

READ MORE: Opening date announced for new Thai restaurant 

"Our new store team is looking forward to becoming part of the vibrant local community as we welcome local residents, workers and visitors to try out our new store on Walton Street.

"As well as creating new jobs for local people, our investment will provide more shopping choice to the area, bringing customers within easier reach of Sainsbury’s great value, high quality convenience products.”

Oxford Mail: Sainsbury's in Jericho

Jericho Online, run by Jericho Community Association, has been giving its readers the background to Sainsbury's arrival.

It said: "This will be on the Lucys redevelopment on the site of the former Jericho Health Centre.

"While planning permission was originally for a mixture of office and shops on the ground floor, in the event Sainsbury's will take both retail units, through they are on different floor levels.

Oxford Mail: The new Sainsbury's

"The Co-op has has long held a supermarket monopoly in Walton Street.

"It also made robust efforts to retain this by in 2011 by opening a second branch near Clarendon Street to block a Tesco opening there.

"The Jericho Co-op does provide a good service but there have been concerns that its prices were higher than in other supermarkets."

John Mair, who lives in Jericho and organises community events, said residents would welcome having a choice of supermarkets.

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.