Asda deal been done?
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Antrim Mayor Councillor Oran Keenan and Deputy Mayor Councillor Adrian Watson welcome Philip Bartram (centre), Property Communications Manager, Retail Development, ASDA Stores Ltd.
THE Planning Service look poised to give the green light to supermarket giant Asda to open its biggest Northern Ireland store in Antrim, the Guardian can reveal.
More than six years after competition to High Street giant Tesco was first mooted, it is understood that 'long-standing difficulties' regarding road access and the environmental impact have finally been overcome.
Insiders predict that County Hall will deliver the early Christmas present before the end of the year - clearing the way for 'store wars' on an epic scale when Asda takes on the might of Tesco, which has dominated the local retail market for almost a decade.
But this will be no David and Goliath contest, as the newcomers unveiled details plans for one of the biggest stores Northern Ireland has ever seen.
The new outlet, which is earmarked for the vacant lot behind the Holiday Inn, will boast over 52,000 square feet of retail floorspace - making it one and a half times the size of Tesco Massereene.
It will also create 300 permanent jobs, as well as providing a huge boost for the local construction industry during the nine-month building cycle.
Philip Bartram, the Property Communications Manager with Asda Stores Ltd, briefed local reps on the Planning 'breakthrough' last week - and he revealed that Asda is confident of opening the doors on its multi-million pound flagship store by September 2009.
DUP Assemblyman Trevor Clarke welcomed the visit, which followed on from a meeting with Asda Chief Executive Andy Bond in Ballyclare.
Mr Clarke said the recent 'Tesco petrol price fiasco' - which revealed that Antrim was paying more than any other area for their fuel - confirmed that their monopoly had to end.
“I have been working with Asda representatives recently in relation to the planning application for the proposed Antrim store," he said.
“It is hoped that all the obstacles will soon be overcome and that Asda will soon be receiving approval to commence building a new store at the Junction One site.
“This can only be good news for my constituents."
Deputy Mayor Adrian Watson agreed, arguing that the new store would drive down local prices and cement the long-term success of Junction One.
“I remember arguing in favour of a second superstore in Antrim back in 2002 when the Minister heard the Public Inquiry into the prospects of Safeway coming into the town - and my views have not changed," he said.
“I'm not an advocate of Asda, but I am an advocate of competition. That's what the people want, particularly in these uncertain economic times.
“This is great news for Antrim and I trust that it will have the unanimous support of the Council when it comes before us later this year."
It is understood that the ongoing delays in the Asda application will be on the agenda this Thursday when Environment Minister Sammy Wilson is grilled by the Council at its monthly meeting.
