So apparently the rear entrance at Forest Hill Sainsburys is now permanently closed.
Toilets are still in use, but entrance from the car park is now via the walk thru under the building to the front stairs/lift.
Too many people, i suspect, sneaking out without paying and lack of security on the rear door.
This will be inconvenient for shoppers approaching from that side of Sainsbury’s (by car or on foot), especially when you consider how slow the lift and ramp is at the front entrance. Most inconvenienced will be elderly and disabled people getting cabs home with their shopping.
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Yup those less mobile will definitely be the ones paying the price here. Unfortunate result of the actions of a small minority.
Would be nice if Sainsburys put some clear signage up before the exit itself. 
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A shame as I use that entrance to find a smaller trolley in the car park when they’ve all disappeared from the front as has been the case recently as they’re also used by the staff pickers for the delivery riders who turn up.
It’ll also make it harder for those who get a taxi from the car park.
I noticed recently they installed a gate to block it off, so it was only time before it happened.
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It is definitely about to become a busy and congested entrance /exit by the sound of things.
Be interesting to see how it impacts trade. I’m sure a lot will just adapt, and those who can’t simply won’t be missed. But will it have the impact on theft from the store as expected?
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Bell Green and Dulwich Sainsbury’s have barcoded receipt gates at the self-service tills to reduce the risk of shoplifting, yet Forest Hill didn’t get them after the refurb a couple of years back.
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… the refurb a couple of years back.
The only purpose seems to have been to install lots of self-serve tills, and maybe repair the roof. The layout is not an improvement; incoming shoppers looking for baskets, and shoppers exiting the store, getting in each other’s way. The customer service/ tobacco counter also not in good location - the queue blocking customers leaving the checkout area. Staff seem demoralised since the ‘upgrade’.
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It’s got worse in the front due to the amount of delivery drivers who now wait for orders next to the kiosk, so on the chance you find a trolley, you have to navigate past them. But I also get frustrated by the long queue for the kiosk as well blocking access for shoppers leaving the store.
Considering Bell Green (and Dulwich) have a larger range of items for sale, that Sainsbury’s seems to do well regardless.
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The layout is a complete mess really isn’t it. Not a good flow. Some of the issues could be addressed with minimal work (on the grand scheme of things)
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Bell Green and DKH stores are designed as out of town superstores, for people driving and loading up cars.
In Forest Hill we’re fortunate to have, however, an old-fashioned High Street supermarket despite - as Snazy says - the layout being a mess.
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Yes I had to wait while someone found me a small trolley earlier. I can’t manage the big ones. The member of staff had real trouble finding one. This is not good for shoppers and staff alike
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I’ve sent a complaint to Sainsbury’s about the trolley situation. The closure of the rear exit has made it worse.
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I shall also send a complaint. Good idea.
Most times I have contacted Sainsburys, Forest Hill or Sydenham, the responses (if any) have been worthless. I hope you have more luck.
Reply from Sainsbury’s.
Dear Martin,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us regarding your recent shopping experiences at our Forest Hill store. We truly value hearing from our customers, and we are sorry to learn that your visits have been less than satisfactory.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you have experienced in trying to find a small trolley during your visits. We fully understand how frustrating it must be to find that the majority of available trolleys are being used by our in-store picking staff fulfilling food delivery app orders, leaving fewer available for customers shopping in-store. Your concerns are completely valid, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
We also acknowledge your concerns regarding the closure of the rear entrance near the car park, which previously provided easier access to trolleys via the large lift. We understand that having to use the narrow lift and stairwell as an alternative is far from ideal and adds unnecessary difficulty to your shopping experience.
Please be assured that your feedback has been noted and will be shared with the relevant store management team for their urgent attention. We want every visit to our store to be a pleasant and convenient experience, and we recognise that we need to do better in this regard.
We genuinely appreciate your loyalty as a customer and your continued support of our store. We hope to see meaningful improvements that will make your future visits much more enjoyable.
Once again, thank you for your valued feedback.
Kind regards,
Ria | Sainsbury’s Online
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd
This is usually the sort of response I get. Reading back my concerns with an apology and some understanding mixed in… Then nothing.
Fair play for actually getting a response though. Definitely an achievement in itself.
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It reads like a Chat GPT piece of work. If you have the energy, perhaps ask to be notified when the management team has completed their review and to let you know what their solution is.
I think M & S or Waitrose could make better use of the space.
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