Tesco and Asda in double superstore plan for Torbay
By Herald Express | Friday, January 27, 2012, 08:00
TWO supermarket giants are looking to open new multimillion-pound out-of-town stores in Torbay.
It is understood Asda is eyeing up the empty former Focus DIY site on Brixham Road as it looks to open a store in the town.
The Wal-Mart-owned company has confirmed it is interested in expanding in the Bay.
It comes as Tesco moves closer to submitting a planning application for a new store on the outskirts of Torquay at Edginswell.
If Asda take on the empty 20,000sq ft Paignton site they will not need planning permission and will be able to open a store similar to their Torquay Focus DIY site takeover.
Oliver Jones, property communications manager for Asda, said: "We would love to be part of the community in Paignton.
"While we don't have any concrete plans at the moment, we continue to look for potential locations."
Four months ago Asda opened a store on the former Focus site near B&Q in Newton Road.
Asda said the Torquay store had created 150 new jobs.
He would not reveal the total investment but said it would run into millions.
Mr Jones said at this stage he could not comment on the Brixham Road site but said they were keen to bring business to Paignton as part of expansion plans.
He added: "We have recently announced our intention to create 5,000 jobs across the UK this year."
Meanwhile, plans for a new multimillion-pound Tesco superstore at the gateway into Torquay are being prepared with a view to file them with Torbay Council in the coming weeks.
The supermarket giant is proposing to build a 45,000sq ft food store near Edginswell business park with approximately 400 car parking spaces, office spaces with 71 car parking spaces and new access roads.
The car park would be under the raised store.
Tesco said the proposal would create some 200 jobs in the Bay.
The scheme was shown at a public consultation meetings last September.
A spokesman for consultant firm Amethyst Property Investments Ltd working on behalf of Tesco, said environmental impact assessment plans had been submitted prior to the full planning application going in in the next few weeks.
The previous administration under mayor Nick Bye had come out in the past against out-of-town supermarkets saying more work should be done to redevelop town centres.
Comments
No real need for another 1/2 supermarkets, maybe a vue cinema or even a large ice skating rink where the tesco is planned, something for the kids and adults alike, theres not much to do here in Torquay in winter or when the weathers bad.
By yorkshireone at 22:08 on 30/01/12
ReportNope wrong again pelapoop.
By Rose361 at 13:45 on 30/01/12
ReportI just hope they have self check-out machines, they are brilliant, you don't get some over friendly local butcher chin wagging endlessly about nothing, just in and out, I love supermarkets, they are the future.
By FrankEinstein at 22:32 on 29/01/12
ReportVery unladylike language there Rose. You're bound to need a new username after that little outburst.
By Pelagian at 20:55 on 29/01/12
ReportWe don't need either, especially the Tesco store at Edginswell. If I was visiting the area and my first vision at the gateway to the English Riviera was a b...dy tesco, I would turn round and go back home.
I suppose this is the high price we will have to pay for a one word mention in a christams advert. God help us all.
Something like "The Range" would be much better for the Focus site, much more use to everyone. Where are you Chris Dawson when we need you???
By dizzydolly at 12:51 on 29/01/12
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