SAINSBURY’S is set to open a convenience store at one of Colchester’s best-known former pubs.

The supermarket giant has confirmed it wants to open at the Drury Arms site, in Layer Road, creating 20 jobs.

The site could prompt store wars, as it is near Krisha newsagents, in Butt Road, S&K Supermarket, in Drury Road, and a site in Butt Road where Tesco plans a small supermarket.

Lyn Barton, borough councillor for Shrub End, said: “I am surprised at Sainsbury’s setting up opposite where the Tesco is proposed. We are already well served by three convenience stores and residents have that view as well.’’ Mrs Barton said there were also concerns about access at the busy junction of Layer Road and Drury Road.

Simon Allen, spokesman for Property Portfolio, which owns the building, confirmed Sainsbury’s as the new tenant.

He said: “From a long-term potential, employment and commercial point of view, I think Sainsbury’s has something to offer.”

Mr Allen said a health care company and other retailers were also interested in the site.

A Layer Road resident said: “It is in an awkward spot, but I would rather it was a Sainsbury’s than a pub. We had so much trouble when it was a pub. If it is a Sainsbury’s, I would use it, but the problem is traffic. We get queues here now.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesman confirmed it wanted to open a Sainsbury’s Local and had teamed up with a developer to progress plans.

The store can open without planning permission, but an application could be lodged to change opening times or other restrictions.

Property Portfolio has resubmitted plans for an extension at the site, which Sainsbury’s wants to use as a storage area.

The Drury Arms, once a popular haunt for Colchester United fans, closed last summer.

Sainsbury’s has a supermarket in Priory Walk, Colchester and a superstore in Stanway.