Asda promises 250 jobs as new Newtownabbey store approved

Asda’s proposed new store on the Doagh Road, Newtownabbey, was last night (Monday) approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s planning committee.
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The 40,000 square feet store together with a petrol filling station and a free car park with 450 spaces will be built on the former Nortel site.

The £17.5 million development will generate up to 250 local full time and part time jobs, says the retailer.

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The store will provide a full range of groceries and fresh foods as well as clothing. It will also offer both a click and collect service and home delivery.

A CGI visualisation of the proposed store.A CGI visualisation of the proposed store.
A CGI visualisation of the proposed store.

As part of the development, the existing junction between the Monkstown and Doagh roads will be upgraded with a new roundabout. This will maintain the flow of traffic while improving safety on this important arterial route. There will also be road improvements at the Cloughfern roundabout.

A spokesperson for the retailer said: “Asda is delighted to have received planning permission for the store. The process has been lengthy, reflecting the careful assessments carried out by the Council, its officers and independent advisers.

“The planning committee’s decision follows the overwhelming support for the development which we received during our public consultation.

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“It will bring new jobs to the area and offer Newtownabbey shoppers low prices and great value every time they shop in Asda.”

Retail NI has slammed the decision over its potential impact on independent traders.

Glyn Roberts, Retail NI chief executive, said it was “a kick in the teeth for local independent retailers struggling with the pandemic”.

He added: “As we have seen before with countless other out-of-town superstores, these always destroy and displace existing town centre retail jobs. Newtownabbey has a distinctive retail environment with a significant number of local neighbourhood retailers who are the life blood of the community.

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“Out-of-town retail development, due to poor historical planning decisions, is the main reason Northern Ireland has the highest town centre retail vacancy rate in the UK. Given that our high streets are facing a very uncertain future, granting permission for another out-of-town superstore is the very last thing they need.”

Click here to read: Monkstown Asda store decision postponed

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