Asda to open superstore in Workington
Posted: Feb 3 10:39
Asda, who were beaten by Tesco in their bid to open a superstore on Workington in a long-running saga with Allerdale Council, are coming to the town after all.The company has done a deal with Dixon's to take over the Dunmail Park shopping mall and expect to be up and running by the winter. Asda had been in competition with Tesco to open a super-store in Workington but after a lengthy debate it was Tesco who won Council approval - but they still haven't built the store on the ear-marked Cloffocks site. As well as the store in Dunmail Park Asda will also take-on the adjacent petrol station while Dixon's will still have a presence at the rear of the main building. The cinema complex on the site will be unaffected. Asda's arrival at Dunmail Park will generate up to 350 full-time and part-time jobs and petrol on sale will be at a flat rate.
The announcement of Asda's imminent arrival comes on the day that Dunmail Park began a massive closing down sale "because of re-location." An estimated £1,850,000 of stock is being put up for immediate disposal.
The official press release said: ASDA today announced plans for a new 38,000 sq ft (sales area) store at Dunmail Park Shopping Centre on Maryport Road, Workington. The new store investment plans will create up to 350 new full and part time jobs for local people in Workington, boosting the local economy for shoppers and job seekers alike. The Workington store will feature a full range of ASDA products including ASDA own brand, Smart Price and Extra Special food ranges. The store will also feature a full selection of the popular George clothing range as well as DVDs and home ware products - giving local shoppers access to ASDA's every day low prices. ASDA will also operate the existing petrol station ensuring that Workington customers can benefit from ASDA's low fuel prices. The new plans come at a time when unemployment across Workington and the wider Allerdale area is rising. ASDA will set up a Local Employment Partnership targeting local job seekers in the area, ensuring that the local community can benefit from job opportunities. ASDA plans to open the new store to customers by winter 2010. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Bartram Property Communications Manager for ASDA said:
"We are delighted to be announcing our plans for a new ASDA store in Workington. Our plans will create up to 350 new full and part time jobs in the local community and ASDA will set up a Local Employment Partnership targeting local job seekers. Our new store will provide local shoppers with more choice and access to ASDA's great selection of products including our George Clothing, Extra Special, ASDA brand and Smart Price ranges. We are excited to be opening our first store in Workington and we're looking forward to meeting our new customers later this year."
Bill Dixon Dunmail Park Director said: "ASDA's development is a massive coup for West Cumbria creating hundreds of jobs and providing more choice for local shoppers. We are relocating units at Dunmail Park to enable the development to proceed, our relocation sale starts this Friday 5th February. The ASDA store will massively increase footfall at Dunmail Park and traders and customers alike will be thrilled by this fantastic news. The world's largest retail group is showing its confidence in West Cumbria by making this major investment.
