Sainsbury’s has scrapped plans to open a convenience store at a former bank building in Wanstead.

The supermarket giant had intended to open one of its Sainsbury’s Local stores at a property on the High Street, which had been operated as a bank by Barclays until 2014.

Sainsbury’s purchased the site shortly after the bank closed, but plans to open the store never got off the ground.

A spokesman for the supermarket said Sainsbury’s still planned to open a store in Wanstead, but would look at other locations.

He added: “However following a review we have decided not to progress our plans for a new convenience store at the former Barclays Bank.

“Clearly this was not an easy decision to make and we are grateful for people’s patience and support.

“We will now be marketing the site to interested parties so we bring the building back into use as quickly as possible.”

In July this year, Sainsbury’s was forced to employ bailiffs to evict a group of squatters from the building.

Around 20 people occupied the building illegally for around three weeks before they were removed.