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. 
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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