Asda are in the final few weeks of closing a deal with the Isle of Wight Council to bring their first store to the Island, despite local rumours the company has pulled out.
Planning permission for the new store, which will be built on land off St Georges Way, Newport, was granted back in July of last year but work is yet to begin, despite original plans to open the doors back in December 2012.
In November Asda confirmed they were working closely with the Isle of Wight Council to progress their plans, as well as allowing some time for any legal challenges to be put forward. The deadline for legal challenges passed in February, but still the deal is yet to be finalised two months on.
A spokesperson for Asda has told Island Echo:
“Asda and the Council are in active dialogue to resolve some final issues to close the deal which may take a few more weeks to complete.”
The new store will have a sales area of some 45,000 sq ft, 400 car parking spaces, a petrol station offering the cheapest fuel on the Island, plus a café, a brand new roundabout and a spine road to Pan. In addition, there will be a significant investment in the pedestrian/cycle route between the store and Pyle Street in the town centre, to create a safe and attractive link that will encourage shoppers into Newport and traffic lights will be installed at Shide Road junction.
