SAINSBURY’S first shop in East Oxford opened its doors yesterday, with the promise of bringing more shoppers to the area.

The 2,300sq ft store, which has taken over the vacant Thresher’s shop, has a bakery, fresh fruit and vegetables, convenience food, and cash machine, as well as offering newspapers and flowers.

Sainsbury’s has named the Oxford Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital as its first local charity partner after hearing of its quest to raise money for specialised wheelchairs.

Store manager Tony Hallam said: “We hope to complement local traders, giving people the chance to top up their shopping on the way home and bringing trade to the street.”

However, East Oxford traders have expressed fears that the supermarket giant’s shop at The Plain in St Clement’s, and a second one to be opened in Cowley Road, will harm independent traders.

There is already a Tesco Metro in Cowley Road, as well as stores in Magdalen Street and St Aldate’s, in the city centre.

Earlier this week, Rana Lally, the owner of Costcutters in Cowley Road, said the move could force the closure of his store which houses the street’s only post office.