A steady stream of people have attended a public consultation event over plans for a new ASDA in Beeston.
The current Netto on the Old Lane site is currently being refurbished and will reopen as an ASDA ‘in a few weeks’, one of the ASDA representatives told South Leeds Life.
And ASDA chiefs are set to submit a planning application for a new 20,484 sq ft supermarket three times bigger than the current Netto on the same site. There would be parking for 195 cars and the new ASDA would be open ‘some time in 2013’.
The proposed new store would be to the back of the current site, away from Old Lane. The car park would be built in the area currently occupied by Netto and industrial units to the side.
A publicity pamphlet pledges up to 100 jobs at the supermarket as well as improving the visual appearance of the site, better pedestrian links both within and around the site, easier access and disabled parking, and a cash machine. The pamphlet says:
“We are confident that a brand new ASDA store will represent a significant improvement on the previous shopping offer and the benefits will be felt by both ASDA colleagues and customers alike.”
A planning application is expected shortly. A proposal to build a Tesco nearby was withdrawn from a council plans panel meeting last month.
In our post previewing the consultation, some commenters gave the plans a hsotile reception.
Bywater blog said:
“‘create up to 100 jobs’; this is just pure spin. Any jobs created will just mean that other local shops will close and those workers employed there will lose their jobs. Everytime a new store opens they claim xx amount of new jobs will be created, it means nothing.”
And John added:
“No doubt these 100 jobs will then be lost or moved to Middleton’s new ASDA when/if that is finally built. Ultimately meaning less supermarket choice in South Leeds.”
What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.
