Supermarket claims its plans won’t damage market town

As well as a 1,374-name petition, submitted by a PR firm on Asda’s behalf, large numbers of residents have written to Leeds Council to express their support for the store, petrol station and a 265-space car park at a site off Hudson Way.

An Asda spokesman claimed 80 per cent of locals who have voiced an opinion have backed the scheme. Strong support for the plans can be seen on the council’s planning website.

One recent comment, from resident Andrew Hamilton, said: “The location of such a store is most suitable and will enhance the shoppers’ choice. There is only a Morrisons supermarket at present and the ‘competition’ which will result from a secondary large scale supermarket can only bring positive benefits to Wetherby.”

Resident Christopher Jones said: “Although the proposed location of the Asda store is not in the town centre, it is in the town. This must be an improvement on the current situation which sees insufficient shopping choice in Wetherby.”

An Asda spokesman said: “As well as delivering a substantial economic boost for prospective shoppers and new colleagues, supporters of the scheme see Asda’s arrival providing long overdue and much needed competition for the Morrisons store in Wetherby, which currently enjoys a monopoly as the only major foodstore in the town.

“With Morrisons already ‘over-trading’ by 38 per cent, the choice for most people looking to carry out their main food shopping will continue to be to either shop there or to travel outside of Wetherby altogether.

“Detailed retail studies indicate that Morrisons will be the main store affected by a new Asda in the town. It’s anticipated that Morrisons trade would drop but the anticipated effect on other traders in the town is expected to be as little as five per cent.”

The company’s senior property communications manager, Philip Bartram, was critical of what he called ‘misinformation’ circulating in the town which focuses on how an Asda store might affect other traders.

A petition opposing Asda’s plans suggests the store would take 22 per cent of trade from each local retailer. Mr Bartram said this was incorrect.

“The current reality is that the vast majority of local people are carrying out their main food shopping either at Morrisons or, as is the case for a great many people, not in Wetherby at all.

“A new Asda store will finally provide vital choice and competition, strongly encouraging people to stay in Wetherby to shop.

“A new improved bus service – every 30 minutes - between the Asda site and the rest of the town centre will make it easy to carry out linked trips, benefiting existing local traders through greater footfall.

“Unfortunately, we have become aware of some misinformation being displayed locally claiming that a new Asda store would take 22 per cent of trade from each retailer in the town.

“It is very important to state that this claim is not even anywhere close to factually correct and it is only right and proper that local people understand that and are not misled.

“A new Asda store in Wetherby will provide the town with a fresh new offer and at last deliver some crucial competition to Morrisons. In addition, those people currently shopping outside of the town will be encouraged to stay and shop locally, many of whom feel at present that they have little choice but to travel further afield for their main shopping needs.”

In a letter to the council, Mark Goldstone, of the local chamber of commerce, said: “I believe the results of several public consultation events in Wetherby have indicated very strong support for the Asda scheme...I recommend this application be granted.”