Sainsbury’s has unveiled a new convenience store format - and Bristol is one of four UK cities which will welcome one in the first wave of openings.
The supermarket chain said its new On the Go shops will deliver 'big innovation in small spaces for local shoppers'.
The first of its stores in this refreshed format opened this week in Mansion House, an area within London’s Square Mile previously home to a Sainsbury's Local.
Nine more of the new-look stores will open over the coming months in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Bristol.
Sainsbury's has more than 130 Local stores in urban areas that could be converted into On the Go stores, said a spokesperson.
Changes in the new store format
Unlike the original Local format, the supermarket’s new stores will offer a variety of foods prepared in store, including pizza baked on-site, hot porridge and a sushi concession.
Fitted with tables, customers can also help themselves to drinks from a self-service coffee machine and orange juicer.
Sainsbury's said it developed the On the Go format to meet the needs of busy city workers and hopes the stores will act as a one-stop shop for food, drink and staple groceries as well as convenience services.
There will be a range of 'digital services' to help customers shop quickly and conveniently and do more of their shopping under one roof.
Graham Biggart, Sainsbury’s Director of Commercial Operations, said: "Convenience is a growing part of our business and we have greater capability than ever to truly tailor Local stores to local needs – across our products, formats, services and operations.
"We’re confident this format will further strengthen our market-leading position in convenience."
Sainsbury's Local stores
Existing Sainsbury's Local stores in Bristol city centre are located at Broadmead, Broad Quay and Union Street.
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The chain also has two Local sites on Gloucester Road and one on Whiteladies Road.
It is not yet known which of these stores will be transformed into the new format, or when it will happen.
Bristol Live has asked Sainsbury's for more information and is awaiting a response.
