Sainsbury’s shoppers gutted to lose supermarket café with ‘best view in England’

If you asked someone where to find the best views in the whole of England, you probably wouldn’t expect them to point you towards a Sainsbury’s café.

But according to those who have been to the retailer’s superstore in Penzance, Cornwall, this is exactly what you’ll find if you head there.

The café, which is located on the upper floor of the shop, boasts an outdoor terrace area with chairs and tables, that offers customers the chance to enjoy a cuppa and full English while admiring stunning views of the Cornish coast and St Michael’s Mount.

It’s proved such an ‘iconic’ spot, that it even has its own Tripadvisor page, but sadly, like the rest of Sainsbury’s other cafés in the UK, it will soon be closing.

The retailer recently announced it would be shutting all of its cafés, as the ‘majority of most loyal shoppers’ don’t use them, and instead prefer food halls run by specialist partners such as Starbucks. 

Understandably, locals are gutted to lose the café and its incredible views, and some have even begged Sainsbury’s to reconsider the decision.

Mary Fletcher, an artist in the local area, took to Facebook to share that she had called Sainsbury’s to complain about the closure of the café. She claims staff told her they weren’t able to ‘reverse’ the decision, and that the it would be closing in April.

She explained that she was a fan of the café because ‘it’s got a marvellous view, is well used, nice and spacious and the food is ok.’

And she’s not the only one who feels this way, online there are many more reviews for the place, with it even being hailed as ‘the best supermarket café’.

One post on Tripadvisor, by a user known as Geoffb14 claimed: ‘It must have the best view imaginable’.

While someone known only as s000000z said it was ‘Sainsbury’s very best café’, adding: ‘Penzance Sainsbury’s café must have one of the very best views in the whole of England, overlooking the railway line, Mounts Bay, and the unique St Michael’s Mount.

‘It is fun watching the trains of varying lengths trundle by, people and their dogs gambolling on the beach, various types of surfers strutting their stuff.’

And 22abigailr, felt similarly, posting: ‘I cannot imagine there is a supermarket with a more amazing view than here. Outside decking (weather permitting) allows coffee to be sipped with St Michael’s Mount complimenting the beautiful Mounts Bay.’

Others hailed it ‘one of a kind’, ‘amazing’ and said it was ‘easily the best supermarket café ever’.

And it’s not just Tripadvisor, over on Facebook the sentiments are shared, with Gary Lightfoot commenting: ‘Wow! Penzance Sainsbury’s café is sort of iconic, at least custom-designed. Could be an idea for someone to lease for an independent café.’

Mike Rabbitte added: ‘One of the best things about the Sainsbury’s café in the Penzance store was it’s decking where you could sit outside and have one of the best views in the world – Mounts Bay.’

When asked about the closure of the Penzance café, a Sainsbury’s spokesperson told Metro: ‘We’re currently doing everything we can to support our colleagues who were impacted by the announcement. We will explore future opportunities for the space and will keep our colleagues and customers updated.’

As well as the closure of the cafés, the supermarket also announced it would be axing three other key features in stores.

As part of the company’s ‘Next Level’ strategy, which they hope will see them become the UK’s first choice for food, they’ll also be closing patisserie, hot food and pizza counters to make room for more fresh ranges in stores.

The most popular products from these counters will be available elsewhere in stores, but the rest will likely be discontinued.

It’s not yet been confirmed which items will be impacted by this decision.

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