URL: https://brentwood.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1309

Decision Maker: Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Introduction to meeting with Sainsbury's following the findings of the Scrutiny, Performance and Standards Committee review into large store food retail provision in the Borough.

Content: The report provided a brief background into the Scrutiny, Performance and Standards review of the provision of large-scale food store provision in the Borough which has resulted in a representative from Sainsbury’s attending this committee.   Representatives from Sainsburys attended the meeting virtually, Preeti Sandhu, Sainsburys Store Manager, Brentwood and Joanne Surguy, Regulatory Advisor, Legal Team for Sainsburys.    Cllr Wagland proposed the question to the Sainsburys representatives why there is a lack of variety of provision of supermarket facilities in Brentwood.    The Sainsburys representatives confirmed that they themselves had not seen or were aware of the correspondence and these matters are under the remit of the Property Team and would be able to pass this on for a response.    Cllr Rigby and Wagland expressed their dissatisfaction that no formal response has been received from Sainsburys.  Cllr Rigby requested a formal written response from Sainsburys on questions from the letters sent to Sainsburys previously.    The Sainsburys Store Manager, Ms Sandhu covered a number of areas in which the store had made improvements over the last 6 months she has been in position as Store Manager such as:   ·       Lifts have been repaired – one was refitted and one refurbished.  ·       Leaks in the store are a reoccurring issue but is being managed with 2 contractors and the issue is being rectified.  ·       Car Park – no noise complaints have been received on noise of night time delivery trucks ·       Fountains – the Property Team can investigate the upkeep and there is a monthly tidy up of green areas.  ·       Car park noise issues – to minimise noise, we accept deliveries but we don’t clear on empty rollers – no noise complaints have been received by the store in the last 6 months. ·       Car park bays have been repainted and new parking tariffs are in place.  Car Park tariffs are 24 hours so anyone entering the car park 30 minutes after store closure will be issued with PCNs.    ·       Work has be logged to look at resurfacing the car park for completion.     Cllr Slade discussed the increased parking tariffs including the change to minimum spend for parking and that residents have provided feedback that there is no grace period after parking timings to allow for exiting the car park (legally this should be 10 minutes).  Cllr Slade added that if a café is to be added to the store, this will impact on customers and the amount of time they have in store now there is a reduction on total car parking within the Sainsburys car park.    The Sainsburys representatives would report back on this.    Sainsburys representatives to take back feedback of the car park tariffs to those responsible within the company.    Sainsburys confirmed that Costa Coffee are looking to move into the current café space at the end of the year.    Cllr Jerard questioned the process or policy on maintenance of the store as this store is in deterioration in maintenance and lack of products on the shelves.  Cllr Jerrad queried the policy for making sure the stores look functional and a place to want to go shopping.    Ms Surguy confirmed that there is a central Facilities Management Team dealt with centrally and stores will log maintenance issues and will be addressed centrally.  Ms Surguy to obtain more information if there is a review on this by the correct team.    Cllr Barber queried Sainsburys Corporate Social Responsibility – the toilet facilities were not in a good state of cleanliness on recent visits – inspections and resources into this is key and should be looked at.  Anti-Social behaviour within the store is something to consider and how this is addressed and  discouraged in the evenings.    Ms Sandhu had not received any concerns raised on these issues.  Any isolated incidences would have been managed by the security team on site.    Cllr Slade raised the issue that at around 9.30pm, re-stock of shelves takes place and the aisles are congested with cages of stock making it a very difficult shopping experience for customers.  Re-stocking should happen after the store closes to customers.  Ms Sandhu would take this point away and address with the Team.       Cllr Wagland queried the performance of the Brentwood Sainsburys store in comparison to others.  Ms Sandhu answered that they were unable to share comparison store performance. Ms Surguy confirmed they would get a more structured and detailed response to the Committees queries and in terms of competition of food retailers, perhaps this would impact on how the Property Team review the store.   Cllr Rigby requested that feedback from this Committee should be cascaded to Sainsburys Head Office and relevant Teams within the company.   Cllr Barber requested that action points from this meeting should be resent to Sainsburys alongside the previous letters.     In terms of the fountain, Ms Surguy confirmed that the Property Team were looking at the lease.  The Property Team would also need to respond on the maintenance of Millenium Walk which is the responsibility of Sainsburys that the Committee raised as an issue in terms of rubbish, pigeons nets and mess and the reflection this gives to Sainsburys and the Town Centre.    Cllr Jerrard queried the autonomy that Sainsburys Head Office gives to Store Managers as she believed the store is not kept to a good standard and there is an oversight and governance that is lacking.  There should be accountability from others within the company and how Sainsburys manage their estate.    Ms Surguy noted that there has been a lot of work already done by Ms Sandhu and although there is more work to be done, Ms Surguy is proud of her colleagues achievements within 6 months.      Cllrs Gorton and Naylor raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in the car park and queries whether closing the gates/top deck would be a solution.  The Sainsburys representatives would look into this point.    Cllr Wagland highlighted to existing reason this item arose – the Local Development Plan where we have a responsibility to assess what is needed for retail in our area.  This was a key part of our retail evidence base that requires us to engage with companies such as yourselves to understand how you operate, why issues have arisen, what works well in Brentwood etc.  The reason we engaged with Sainsburys is because at present they are the sole provider within the Borough in order to understand why we don’t have strong retail provision as raised by the residents.  Cllr Wagland believes the Planning Team within Sainsburys who make representation in other Local Development Plans and the need to enhance our retail evidence base.    Cllr Wagland added the point around online shopping and collection of online shopping.  This will determine how much space is needed in the allocation of supermarket stores.       The Chair, Vice Chair and Committee thanked Ms Sandhu and Ms Surguy for attending the meeting and their cooperation.    Actions of this meeting will be sent to the Sainsburys representatives alongside the previous letters in order to gain a more formal and structured response.  This will be reported back to the Committee when received.     Cllr Naylor MOVED and Cllr Gorton SECONDED amended the recommendations in the report.  A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:   That the Committee notes the report and considers the responses to be provided by the retail representative at the meeting and detailed responses will come back to the Committee.   The Chair thanked all who attended the meeting.  There was no other business and closed the meeting at 12.30pm.       

Date of Decision: September 26, 2025