19/12/2008

Retail giant Asda said today it was hoping that Planning Service would give the green light for a proposed new flagship store at the Junction One outlet shopping centre by Christmas.

The £25m proposal for the site at Ballymena Road in Antrim would provide 400 full and part-time jobs for the area.

Asda has also vowed to use local contractors to build the 54,000 sq ft store if the application is approved, providing a further jobs boost to the local economy.

The application for the store, the biggest in Northern Ireland, was lodged with planners in July 2006. Asda currently employs 3,600 people across its 14 stores in the province.

Philip Bartram, Asda property communications manager, revealed that it would take eight months to construct the purpose built retail unit.

According to an independent survey of 1,001 Antrim residents, which was published today, 88% of local people would like to see a new Asda store at Junction One.

Conducted by Populus the poll also showed that 65% of local people favoured Asda over any other new supermarket in the the town.

Mr Bartram said: “I think this demonstrates that not just Antrim town residents support our application — people from across the local area resoundingly welcome our proposals. We are the supermarket of choice among Antrim residents.

“We are working closely with the Planning Service and are hopeful of a swift decision on our plans.

“The results of this poll show that the people of Antrim want supermarket choice and they want to see an Asda store at Junction One as soon as possible. They deserve a decision by Christmas.”

Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIRTA) is opposed to the plans for the out of town shopping centre.

Its chief executive Glyn Roberts believes the mammoth scheme would negatively impact on independent retailers in the area.

A spokesman for the DoE Planning Service said: “We can confirm that the application is still under consideration.”

Asda moved into Northern Ireland in 2005 when it acquired the 13 former Safeway stores.

Recently, Asda’s name has been linked with speculation about a takeover of Dunne’s Stores in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

However, a spokesman for Asda said: “We do not comment on speculation on this matter.”

Unite said that if a takeover went ahead, it would be seeking guarantees from the new owners for its members.

News from http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/asda-want-go-ahead-for-new-store-at-junction-one-14110148.html

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