Business

Asda set to add 7,000 sq ft to west Belfast superstore

Asda has submitted a planning application to expand its Westwood Superstore in west Belfast
Asda has submitted a planning application to expand its Westwood Superstore in west Belfast Asda has submitted a planning application to expand its Westwood Superstore in west Belfast

SUPERMARKET giant Asda is set to to add an additional 7,000 sq ft to its popular Westwood Superstore..

Following overwhelming support from the local community, Asda has submitted a planning application to Belfast City Council to expand its west Belfast site..

The submission follows an in-store community consultation event in January, attended by 250 people, all of whom supported Asda’s plans. Residents welcomed the retailer's commitment to west Belfast and said they looked forward to a bigger Asda store, with extended product lines.

If approved by planners the proposals would see Asda’s 42,000 sq ft Westwood Superstore extended into the neighbouring retail unit, delivering an additional 7,000 sq ft of floor space. There would also be external improvements including a new store entrance, new covered trolley shelters and new ‘click and collect’ parking bays and lockers.

Asda's senior communications manager, Alan Jones said the retailer is delighted the people of west Belfast have so enthusiastically endorsed the plans

"At Asda, we believe that community is the cornerstone of any good business, so it was great to be able to take the views of local people on board before submitting our application. If approved, our application to expand Asda Westwood will deliver a multi-million pound investment to west Belfast and provide our customers with a wider range of fantastic Asda products at our famously low prices.”

Asda entered the Northern Ireland market in 2005, with the acquisition of Safeway/Morrison’s 13-store portfolio. The supermarket now has 17 stores across Northern Ireland and a distribution centre in Larne. From an initial 2,000 strong workforce in 2005 when Asda first entered the local market the business now employs almost 4,000 people across the north.