One of Islington’s most vibrant streets is to lose a much-loved Turkish supermarket that is being replaced by a Sainsbury’s.Woody’s Express on Stroud Green Road, famous among locals for its distinctive ethnic fruit, vegetables and herbs, will close by the end of April.
A licensing application, posted by Islington Council outside Woody’s this week, confirmed that Sainsbury’s was taking over the property on 6 April and that Sainsbury’s had applied for a licence for “the sale of alcohol between the hours of 0000 and 2400 daily.”
Sainsbury’s will be the second supermarket chain to set up a shop on Stroud Green Road, adding to the Tesco Metro at the junction of Tollington Park. It has sparked fears that Stroud Green – famous for its independent Caribbean and Turkish shops – is losing its distinctive character.
24 hours
Despite applying for a 24 hour licence, Sainsbury’s are unlikely to continue Woody’s 24 hour opening policy, which locals have said is one of the store’s main attractions. The normal opening times for Sainsbury’s Local are 7am to 11pm, 7 days per week.
Mustafa Berk, who works on the tills at Woody’s Express, said: “Although Sainsbury’s will take over the licence on 6 April, we will not move out until the end of April once we have cleared the stock.
“Sainsbury’s will have to keep the shop closed for two or three months to give it a complete refurbishment.”
Mr Berk said some Woody’s staff are waiting to hear whether Sainsbury’s will take them on to work in the new Local branch.
“Price war”
Sainsbury’s were unable to confirm how long the shop would be closed for, or whether any Woody’s staff would be kept on.
Woody’s shopper Ian Stainsby, 46, of Hanley Road, said he “would be sad to see it go.” He added: “I use it every day but just to buy a paper and cigarettes. It is expensive for food, though. With any luck Tesco and Sainsbury’s will get into a price war!”
