Sainsbury's has confirmed the opening date for its first supermarket in the Scottish town of Dumfries, a £17 million project that will create around 130 jobs. The store is set to open at 9am on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park, according to BBC News.
Former Homebase Site Transformed
The new supermarket occupies a unit previously operated by Homebase, which closed in early 2025 after the DIY chain fell into administration. Sainsbury's took on a new lease of the site and converted it into a full-service supermarket. The Dumfries location was not part of Sainsbury's earlier purchase of 10 Homebase stores in 2024, a deal that cost an estimated £130 million including acquisitions and refits.
Homebase was later rescued from administration by CDS Superstores, owner of The Range and Wilko, which acquired the brand name, intellectual property, and around 70 UK stores.
New Jobs and In-Store Services
Sainsbury's said the new store will create approximately 130 full and part-time roles, with staff already recruited and undergoing training. The supermarket will offer a click and collect service and feature an in-store Argos. Shoppers will also find products from Sainsbury's own brands, including Habitat and Tu Clothing.
Community Impact
Christian Wakelin, Sainsbury's head of supermarket property development, said: "We hope local shoppers will enjoy the great value, improved local choice and convenience the store has to offer. We very much look forward to becoming a part of everyday life in Dumfries."
The opening marks Sainsbury's first presence in Dumfries, a market town located where the River Nith meets the Solway Firth, approximately 25 miles from the English border. The chain currently operates more than 600 supermarkets and 885 convenience stores across the UK.
