Shoppers welcome plans for Asda store in Longton
SHOPPERS have welcomed plans for a new supermarket amid claims Tesco has a "monopoly" in the Potteries.
Proposals have been drawn up for a large Asda at the former Somerfield site in Spring Garden Road, Longton, which would create up to 400 jobs.
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PLANS: Residents Elaine and Peter Kelly and, right, how the store would look.
The regeneration scheme would include covered parking, a cafe, two additional industrial units and a medical centre.
Developer Barlows Holdings Ltd will submit a planning application in the coming weeks.
Residents were shown the proposed scheme at a public consultation event at Longton Library at the weekend.
Oliver Jones, spokesman for Asda, said: "The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive.
"This is a tired site in need of development and at the moment Tesco is massively overtrading.
"They have a strong monopoly of trade in the area and our Asda store will offer something different.
"We've always wanted to have a store in the Longton area. It will be 45,000 sq ft, about 10 per cent smaller than the Wolstanton store, but stock everything we sell.
"Highways improvements at the Lightwood Road, Spring Garden Road roundabout will be made – it is already due to reach its capacity in the near future and needs upgrading. It will become traffic light-controlled."
The store would be accessed from Lightwood Road. Parking at the site would be free or voucher controlled, with the money claimed back in store.
There's a Tesco Extra store in Baths Road, Longton, and the chain opened a store in Hanley last year. Tesco is also believed to be interested in taking over the former Spode site in Stoke.
Shopper Elaine Kelly, aged 61, from Keble Way, Blurton, said: "It would be nice to have a bit of competition.
"The traffic getting to Tesco is a nightmare sometimes and I think their cafe is rubbish. People are desperate for jobs and I'm so glad to see this will create so many."
Asda surveyed 1,000 people in Longton and 94 per cent wanted to see the disused Somerfield site brought back to use and 75 per cent wanted greater shopping choice.
9 Comments
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by meatloaff
Monday, January 23 2012, 11:36PM
“we like shopping at asda when on holiday dont bother at home as wolstanton to far away.about time asda came to longton,tesco are a rip off and you have to wait at tills. the only good thing is free parking”
by lagu2
Monday, January 23 2012, 9:09PM
“i for one have had enough of supermarkets, they rip us off in ways you can't see. support you local stores, markets. NO MORE SUPERMARKETS WE HAVE ENOUGH”
by pensioner46
Monday, January 23 2012, 6:53PM
“I am glad of any store opening to give us a choice other than Tesco, who have become smug and the majority of their staff are very unhelfull”
by Dizzy1960
Monday, January 23 2012, 5:22PM
“The Council aren't bothered about manipulation in this city, they enjoy it.....”
by Wozzer101
Monday, January 23 2012, 2:51PM
“The Shires site as more room for Asda, point them that way . A large supermarket on the old Summerfield site would block the traffic flow and remove more passing trade from The Strand. The site would be better used for a new Longton clinc.”