Aftermath of store wars

There was anger after Sainsbury’s acquired a number of Victorian houses in Ferry Road, in order to facilitate an access road to the site,

The properties fell into disrepair with overgrown gardens and reports of rat infestations.

They also boarded up windows with ugly steel shutters, leading to further complaints.

After public protests and reports in the Rye Observer, Sainsburys eventually carried out refurbishment work inclusing re-painting the external walls and window frames, replacing the old doors and tidying the gardens.