27 May 2009, When 90-year-old Northampton family firm Parsonsons approached Carter Jonas for advice on how to maximize its Wellingborough Road premises, the timing could not have been better.

Carter Jonas knew that supermarket giant Sainsbury’s was actively looking to expand its convenience portfolio across the UK with a target to open 55 new local stores this year.

And with very specific criteria, the family furniture store, which has been occupying the site on the corner of Whitworth Road and Wellingborough Road, Northampton since it was built in 1972, ticked all the boxes.

Explained Andrew Cowling, Commercial Partner, of Carter Jonas’ Northampton office, “The Parsonson’s site has proved to be exactly the type of site that Sainsbury’s are looking for.  Not only is it situated in a very busy urban high street, there is a thriving community in the area, excellent off-street parking, and dedicated delivery spaces.  In addition, the retail space that Parsonsons was making available to Sainsbury’s was spot on.”

The Parsonsons site occupies approximately 10,600 sq ft over two floors. Sainsbury’s, who plan to open in July, will lease  some 4,500 sq ft of the ground floor, leaving Parsonson’s to continue to trade both from the first floor of the property and from a small presence on the ground floor, which will be used to encourage shoppers to venture upstairs to the furniture showroom.

“It’s a win-win situation for both parties”, continued Andrew. “It is particularly pleasing to see that a well-known brand such as Sainsbury’s, who already have two supermarkets in the town, are prepared to invest still further in Northampton.”

Ian Short of Parsonsons commented: “We felt this was the correct time to maximise our assets, whilst still providing the quality and service that our customers have been accustomed to over the last 90 years. We look forward to welcoming customers, both existing and new, to our refurbished showrooms”.