Newry Mourne and Down District Council Works With ASDA To Keep Business in Downpatrick After The Flood
Good progress is now being made in erecting a temporary store for ASDA in Downpatrick.
A Newry Mourne and Down District Council spokesperson said: “Following recent meetings with representatives from ASDA, Council has been committed to working with the ASDA company on immediate solutions to the devastating flooding at the Downpatrick store.
“The Council will support ASDA in its drive to resume trading as a matter of urgency in Downpatrick.
“Simultaneously, we will be working with the retailer to devise a long-term solution for the re-establishment of the store, ensuring the continued vibrancy and economic resilience of our community.
“Our thoughts are with the staff and all those associated with doing business with ASDA, as well as the broader business community and residents who will feel the ripple effect.
“And it is to be welcomed that there are currently no ASDA job losses, with colleagues currently deployed to other stores.
“We welcome ASDA’s commitment to Downpatrick, its current efforts to serve existing customers and its aim to open a temporary store in the main car park beside its store in the next few weeks as we work urgently with central government to get ASDA back in business in Downpatrick.”
Downpatrick traders have been very concerned at the loss of the ASDA store due to the flooding episode and subsequent subsidence in the foundations in the run up to Christmas. Footfall in the town has dropped off.
It presents a huge dilemma for the ASDA store management, but they are committed to Downpatrick and plans will be announced soon on the way ahead for the popular Downpatrick store which is receiving full support from Newry Mourne and Down District Council.
Planning permission for the new temporary store was applied for from Newry Mourne and Down District Council on 6th December. The Planning Reference number is: LA07/2023/3652/F. It can be accessed on the planning portal here.
RPS, an engineering and environmental consultancy, has provided a report to ASDA to help plan the way forward through the complex labyrinth of environmental and planning laws and regulations.
Altogether, there will be a temporary loss of 69 car parking spaces in the car park facing the front entrance of the main ASDA store (closed at the moment) and a further 34 car spaces at the side of teh store adjacent to the Downpatrick railway yard.
The steel fabrication shell is now under construction and the next stage expected to be completed should take a further two weeks. The temporary building is expected to be erected by the end of December if all goes to plan and shop fitting is scheduled for a week and sticking will then take place before the store officially opens.
The temporary store will be significantly smaller than the main store that is currently closed but will be welcomed by the many ASDA shoppers in the wider Downpatrick area.
