Asda coming to NI?

butterflymum

I noticed on passing Junction One recently that a new supermarket is to open there - wonder if that could be Asda too. Anyone heard?

D.A.

It's to be a Lidl if I'm not mistaken.

arkonite_babe

That's correct, it is Lidl. Wish it were Asda

not-so-civil

I was buying Petrol in Safeway Downpatrick yesterday and in talking to the assistant I asked him what was happening. The staff have been told that they have 30days to find a new owner and if not, they will close up shop.

I am quite surprised at this, as far as I know, the only other "National" supermarket in the area is Lidl. I would have considered this a good location.

butterflymum

Much as I like Lidl, methinks Asda would have been a much better option for Junction One (having lived here 15 years, Asda is one of the few shops I miss). Ah well, hopefully they will get around to opening some stores other than just their
'Safeway/Morrisons' ones.

SnowyOwl_2

There's a SuperValu in that shopping centre beside the library. If Tesco and/or Sainsbury aren't having a good sniff around D'Patrick I would be v.surprised. The Safeway site is a joke, however with the power Tesco & Sainsbury have it would be little surprise if they managed to persuade the council to find a new site elsewhere in the Downpatrick, especially if they use their line about how they'd provide xx jobs and attract shoppers into the area thus benefit the local economy. The shutting of Safeway would be terrible for the area, the council will bend over backwards to fill the gap especially as their silly planning dept is the source of the problems. Don't despair, I am sure not all is lost and Downpatrick might actually benefit in the longer term.

sor_fes2

Yeah, the downpatrick site is ridiculous. I remember how badly that place flooded and no one in their right minds would want to build on a bog!

Anyway, hopefully one of the big supermarkets will realise that Downpatrick is a pretty good place for a supermarket... well one is needed in this area... and find a much better location for it.

Are we sure that ASDA has bought all the other Safeways? The BBC website and I think the Tele said only 12.

wirm

They haven't bought them all just 12 as you state sor_fes2

I can't remember the names of the others they didn't buy...

isasmurf

wirm wrote:

They haven't bought them all just 12 as you state sor_fes2

I can't remember the names of the others they didn't buy...

The ones they did buy are
Dundonald (East Belfast),
Cookstown (Mid Ulster),
Omagh (West Tyrone),
Enniskillen (Fermanagh & South Tyrone),
Strabane (West Tyrone),
Kilkeel (South Down),
Shore Road (North Belfast),
Newtownards (Strangford),
Ballyclare (East Antrim),
Coleraine (East Londonderry),
Bangor (North Down),
Westwood (West Belfast)

wirm

Was just about to post that list myself but you beat me to it!