Monstrous store

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the new store. I watched with interest as it got bigger and bigger and when it reached its full size, began to wonder how on earth Sainsbury’s got planning permission?

The new store is monstrous and ugly and it has completely spoilt the previously semi-rural entrance to Rustington and Littlehampton. Granted, there has been some attempt to hide the industrial unit appearance of some of the structures, but this has all the appearance of badly considered afterthoughts. The residential dwellings adjacent to the store are dwarfed by the massive structure.

This leads me to ask, do we really need a superstore, that would be more at home in a busy city centre, in this location?

As a regular Sainsbury’s customer of many years, I at least thought I would give the new store a fair crack of the whip. I do believe in emphasising the positive, but first impressions driving into the car park were of a badly designed parking area, with small spaces for cars.

After squeezing myself into a tight bay, I approached the store. Gaining entrance to the main store is akin to negotiating an Army assault course. Once inside the store, the impression is that it’s far too big and a hundred miles from being a pleasant shopping experience. Having successfully found the items I required without a compass or a guide, I then had to get out. I almost panicked and had visions of being trapped there for days.

Since that visit, I have not been back. The damage has been done now and we are stuck with this monstrosity for decades. Look, too, at the awful factory glare from the car park, as you drive by at night.

I am pleased that more people now have work but this main route into Rustington and Littlehampton has been scarred and spoilt and I would much rather shop somewhere that was personable and respectful of the surrounding area.

Mark Emery

The Winter Knoll

Littlehampton