The redevelopment of a brewery site which was once at the heart of an Essex town is the latest project in area of urban decay that Sainsbury has undertaken. The new 60,000 sq ft Romford store is part of a major mixed use development that includes retail units, housing, a health club, restaurants, bowling alley and cinema. Sainsbury has invested £150m in the scheme, which is a joint venture with developer Stannifer. It provides 250 jobs instore, most of which will go to local people. The company claims the town centre site's regeneration will also help existing businesses which have been losing out to the nearby Lakeside shopping centre. Director of property Chris Fenner says: "Mixed use schemes such as Romford lead to the area being used 24 hours a day, unlike others. You are adding value not only to the store, but to the area and community." The Romford scheme has even attracted government praise. The minister for housing and planning, Nick Raynsford, said during a recent interview: "It is providing wonderful new shopping facilities, making it more attractive for people to shop here in Romford, which will help revive the town centre, build the local economy and help create jobs locally. "This is entirely in line with the government's policies of urban renaissance and reviving our town centres." {{COVER FEATURE }}

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