ASDA is still “committed” to Birkenhead, firm says

Mar 10 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

ASDA has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to establishing a supermarket in Birkenhead.

The long-running development is yet to get off the ground, despite planning permission being granted more than a year ago.

Rumours had circulated that complications with some compulsory purchase orders had led the supermarket giant to abandon the development.

But ASDA construction spokesman Phil Bartrem said the firm remains “committed” to building in Birkenhead.

He said: “We’re still in negotiations with the council at the moment, which does take a long time, but we’re still very keen to bring a store to Birkenhead.

“The site has got planning permission and the discussions are largely around formalising matters.”

In August last year, an inquiry into the proposed store prompted by B&M’s refusal to accept a compulsory purchase order almost saw the scheme abandoned.

The supermarket is being developed by Castlewood Developments and Pochin plc, but it would require clearance of part of Grange Road, and the inquiry was told that retailer, B&M, had objected, and presented a written submission to the inquiry.