Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is updating its stores at Penn Inn in Newton Abbot and in Dawlish as part of a national drive to create more space for its fresh food ranges.

Signs at both stores state: ‘Big things are coming. We’re making changes in store to make your future shop more enjoyable. We’re sorry for any disruption while we make these changes.’

The supermarket is rolling out its ‘Next Level’ strategy nationwide, which involves closing patisserie, hot food and pizza counters and adding the most popular items from these ranges in its aisles.

‘At both stores, we have recently updated the ranges so we can offer even greater choice of products at outstanding value,’ a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said.

In Newton Abbot the company is updating the layout and ranges available. While in Dawlish, a wider refit will see additional space created for more fresh food ranges along with improved refrigeration and heating systems to make the store more energy efficient.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs across the country along with plans to close its remaining 61 cafes, and shut its patisserie, hot food and pizza counters as part of a cost cutting plan.

It is likely that Dawlish will lose its hot food and pizza counter as part of the refurbishment.

The Newton Abbot store no longer has a café.

‘We want to make shopping with us as easy and convenient as possible, while offering an even greater choice of products at outstanding value,’ a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said.

‘We appreciate our customers’ patience during this change. Our colleagues are on hand to help and we also have posters displayed in store to help customers find their favourite products,’ the spokesperson added.

Both stores will remain open during works.