We are looking to build more superstores in Cumbria - Asda
Last updated at 11:55, Thursday, 04 February 2010
Asda has unveiled plans to open a supermarket near Workington and create 350 jobs – while refusing to rule out more stores in west Cumbria.
Related: Asda to create 350 jobs at new Cumbrian superstore
The supermarket giant has confirmed it wants to open an outlet at the Dunmail Park shopping centre later this year.
Business and political leaders in Allerdale have hailed the announcement as a major coup for the area.
But in Whitehaven there are fears that the move could signal the death knell for Asda’s ambitions for the town, where they pulled out of a £20m store plan at the former Ginns site in 2008.
An Asda executive, however, today insisted that the firm was still looking at further expansion options.
Property communications manager Philip Bartram told the News & Star: “We are still looking across the wider west Cumbria area, including the major towns, for places to build.
“Just because we want to come to Workington it does not rule out us coming to any other towns.”
Allerdale Council is looking into whether Asda will need planning permission to open at Dunmail Park. The Dixon’s department store will be relocated to allow the supermarket to move in.
Asda says the shop would stock a full range of Asda products, including the George clothing range. The firm will also operate the existing petrol station at the Maryport Road site.
Mr Bartram said: “Our plans will create up to 350 new full- and part-time jobs and Asda will set up a local employment partnership, targeting local job-seekers.
“We are excited to be opening our first store in Workington and looking forward to meeting our new customers later.”
Dunmail Park director Bill Dixon said the world’s largest retailer was showing confidence in west Cumbria with “this major investment”.
He added: “Asda’s development is a massive coup for west Cumbria, creating hundreds of jobs and providing more choice for shoppers.
“The Asda store will increase footfall at Dunmail Park. Traders and customers alike will be thrilled by this news.”
Workington MP Tony Cunningham also welcomed the jobs boost.
“It will mean greater choice for shoppers. I hope the competition increases between the supermarkets and the prices come down, in particular fuel prices,” he said.
Allerdale residents have also spoken of their delight at the news – an economic boost for the area still reeling from the impact of November’s floods.
But the response was not as positive in Whitehaven.
Chamber of trade chairman Christine Minnorry said: “People feel it is another blow to Whitehaven. We have suffered on the back of the floods. Asda won’t come to Whitehaven now because it is too close.”
Another businessman, Gerrard Richardson, said Asda’s Workington location was a “cracking choice”.
He added, however: “I hope it doesn’t have an adverse effect on Whitehaven. If they have gone for Workington instead of Whitehaven, serious questions have to be asked about what went wrong with the Whitehaven plans.”
SAli@cngroup.co.uk
First published at 11:28, Thursday, 04 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
To Gerrard Richardson, I'll tell you what went wrong with Asda's plans for a Whitehaven store, Copeland Council's greed, that's what. As usual Whitehaven gets left behind thanks to our useless council!!! Whitehaven will never move forward as long as that lot are running things, They are too busy wasting tax payers money on things that the public don't want like that hiddeous work outside the civic hall. It's better shops we want, not art! ROLL ON THE ELECTIONS!!
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Will the car park be extended, if it will employee 350 which I presumme will be a mix of part & full time, where is the extra parking going to be.
Oh and glad to see Asda arriving here some good news in our area afterall the bad in previous months
Posted by MARY Dunn on 9 February 2010 at 17:11