Asda plans new Angus store with 270 staff

by Stephen Christie - 15/09/2009

"The retail boom in Angus was given another huge boost yesterday when supermarket giant Asda announced multimillion-pound plans to open its first store at Forfar – creating some 270 jobs."

The proposal comes just weeks after rival Sainsbury’s unveiled plans for a new store in nearby Montrose – boosting employment by 200.

And earlier this year, property developer Macdonald Estates announced plans to invest £33million to build supermarkets and retail units at Kirriemuir and Arbroath, bringing 620 jobs.

Business leaders in Angus last night welcomed the latest venture by Asda, saying it could “create long and short-term job opportunities” for locals and “lucrative work for recession-hit contractors”.

Asda, which is working with AWG Property and Deanway Development on the project, intends to submit a planning application for the St James House site in New Road, Forfar.

After a consultation period when residents’ views will be sought, a full planning application will be submitted.

The site already has planning consent for 51,600sq ft of retail space. But consent for an extension to the permitted amount of food retail space will be required from Angus Council.

The proposal would include the Asda food store, with a sales area of 28,000sq ft, as well as 22 residential units and car parking.

Lisa Rooke, Asda’s property communications manager in Scotland, said: “Asda is excited at the opportunity to develop a new food store in Forfar. The proposed store would bring much-needed jobs to the town, as well as quality produce and our famous low prices.

“We look forward to working with local residents, local suppliers and the council to bring this to fruition.”

Deanway Development director Alex Galbraith said the company was “delighted” to work with Asda.

He said: “Our development plans will support the ongoing and future economic development of Forfar and make a major contribution to the local economy, including up to 270 in-store jobs as well as temporary construction jobs through the build.”

Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce vice-president Christopher Lundie said: “This commitment by Asda is a very welcome boost to the wider Angus community. We believe many of our members will benefit in the short term from the jobs created during the construction and in the longer term from the creation of permanent employment opportunities.”

The site was Angus Council’s headquarters but has been mothballed since 2007 when the local authority moved to Forfar’s Orchardbank Business Park.
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Angus MP Mike Weir said he hoped the former council HQ could at last be redeveloped for the benefit of the local community.

He said: “If new jobs are to be created for Forfar then that’s very welcome.

“It’s a sign of the times that supermarkets are trying to expand into smaller boroughs but there must be a balance to ensure that supermarkets do not damage existing businesses.

“However, if planning was to be approved there would be considerable construction and I would hope that local construction firms would be used.”

Angus councillors last month approved a £9million retail development at Westway Retail Park, Arbroath, after agreeing to revised conditions for the scheme. It could create about 140 jobs.

The scheme is part of the £33million investment by Edinburgh-based Macdonald Estates. Plans include a £25million, 50,000sq ft food store at Muirhead of Logie, off the Forfar Road at the entrance to Kirriemuir.

Sainsbury’s plans at Montrose would see a 25,000sq ft food in Brechin Road.

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