Sainsbury’s is returning to its roots - and reopening a store it closed 43 years ago. The retailer plans to open a Sainsbury’s Local c-store at 9-11 London Road, Croydon, which is currently occupied by a Wetherspoons pub. Sainsbury’s originally opened a showpiece branch on the site in 1886 - the first store for the retailer outside central London. The store scored another first in 1950 as Sainsbury’s first self-service store (pictured), but was closed in 1969.

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