Asda investment plan for Barrhead
Asda has announced plans to invest over £20 million and 200 jobs for Barrhead.
Asda, the UK's lowest-priced supermarket, has announced plans to invest over £20 million in a new supermarket in Barrhead.
Following a successful tender process, Asda will be bringing forward a planning application for the Council-owned site which borders Church Street, Main Street and the River Leven.
If approved the supermarket will bring hundreds of new employment opportunities to the town and provide more consumer choice, quality produce and Asda's famous low prices to the people of Barrhead.
This is the latest development to re-ignite the town's regeneration and follows news of a £3.8 million extension to Barrhead Sports Centre to create a new leisure and learning centre, Barrhead Steps.
The planned supermarket will deliver:
• A new Asda store with a sales area of approximately 25,000 sq ft
• An investment of over £20 million into the local economy
• Approximately 200 new jobs in the town, with a mixture of full and part-time positions, enabling colleagues to balance their work and family commitments
• Approximately 200 additional jobs during the construction of the store
• Asda's range of quality products at affordable prices, with an emphasis on use of local suppliers where possible
• Greater competition and choice for shoppers
The Asda store marks a massive coup for the town, regenerating a currently redundant site, and the proposals will include an investment of £800,000 to integrate the supermarket within the town centre and involve a range of public realm, access and greenspace improvements to the front and rear of the store.
If the application is approved, Asda would aim to set up its 'Asda Magic' Recruitment Centre in Barrhead to target local job seekers, making sure that the focus of the employment opportunities is local - meaning that it is giving people in the area the best opportunity of landing a role in the store.
Asda is also keen to work with East Renfrewshire Council and its partner organisations to ensure that a new Asda store in Barrhead can bring as many benefits to the local business community as possible. In addition, it aims to work with local suppliers to develop its current range of products and increase sales. The firm currently works with over 150 local suppliers that provide around 1,200 products to its stores.
Lisa Rooke, Asda's Property Communications Manager for Scotland, said: "We are pleased to be announcing our proposals for a new store in Barrhead and are keen to hear what the local community thinks of our plans. Our proposals would enable us to make a significant investment in the town, regenerating a currently redundant site, and generating up to 200 new jobs for local people. "We believe that the new store can provide consumers with an improved choice on where to carry out their supermarket shopping, as well as bringing Asda's quality products and famous low prices to the area. "We are looking forward to consulting and working with the local community as our proposals progress and will be undertaking a programme of community engagement in the coming weeks."
Councillor Tony Buchanan, East Renfrewshire Council's Convener for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "I am delighted with today's announcement that confirms the Asda plan to open a new supermarket in Barrhead. This signifies a £20 million investment in Barrhead, jobs for local people and significant improvements in town centre streetscape. "This is excellent news for local people and particularly for young people seeking employment in the town. Over the next few years we can expect to see a real transformation in Barrhead town centre, with the £3.8 million extension to Barrhead Sports Centre already announced and a number of investments across the town. "My colleagues and I look forward to working with Asda over the coming months and fully support their commitment to working closely with the local community and local businesses to make sure that their plans are well communicated and supported."
