Asda to be bulldozed

Asda to be bulldozed

13 December 2023

THE Asda store in Downpatrick, which closed last month after major structural defects were discovered, is to be bulldozed and rebuilt, the Recorder understands.

The work at the Ballydugan Road retail park will be subject to securing all necessary planning approvals and consents and signals the retail giant’s ongoing commitment to the town.

Planning permission is currently being sought for a temporary store adjacent to the existing building were structural engineers discovered 31 defects in the wake of last month’s devastating flooding.

Defects uncovered by engineers during a forensic examination of the building — which Asda leases — included an issue with the foundation floor which included what is believed to be a large sink hole.

Large cracks also appeared in walls with damage reported to interior ceilings and floors.

As a result of the catastrophic damage, the retail giant initially revealed that what is one of its flagship stores would remain closed for the “foreseeable future” following the flooding.

Belfast planning consultancy TSA — which prepared a report accompanying the approval bid for the temporary building on behalf of Asda — says it is vital that the retailer’s proposed new store lies outside the town’s floodplain, from which the retail park has effectively been excluded.

The report confirms that following a detailed assessment of the damage, the existing store needs to be permanently closed and replaced with a new building, while Asda prepares for what is being described as a “long term solution”.

It continues: “In order to retain Asda’s presence within Downpatrick, proposals are advanced for a new permanent store.”

The report says the Downpatrick store was subject to “substantial damage” as a result of last month’s flood, resulting in “structural issues deemed a hazard to human health and safety”.

Work is currently well underway on the temporary store with Asda seeking permission for it to remain in place for three years. 

It will include a sales floor, chillers and freezers, plant area and staff facilities, while current car parking provision will also be rearranged, with the target date for the opening of the new temporary store the end of next month.

It will be around three times smaller than the existing outlet and is being built in the car park opposite its main entrance and will result in the loss of 103 parking spaces, the planning report reveals.  Almost 350 spaces will remain.

Asda said the temporary store will allow its 156 staff, who have been redeployed to various other stores, including Portadown, Dundonald and Newtownards, to return to Downpatrick.

The report says the closure of the Downpatrick store has resulted in a “significant loss in business and trade for the town centre, with shoppers likely heading elsewhere for a larger weekly shop”.

It says the popularity of the Asda store, combined with the temporary closure, demonstrates the demand and need which now exists within the area, with the proposals for the temporary store allowing the retailer to continue to trade in the town.

The report says this will ensure the local community continues to have access to the retailer.

Last week, Asda confirmed that the flooding caused substantial damage to the store and that it remains committed to continuing to serve local people.

The retailer confirmed it is working with the landlord to deliver what it has described as a “longer-term solution” and has continued to support the local community by operating a click and collect service from its Portadown store.

The number of home delivery slots available in the local area has also increased, with click and collect parcels for George now available to collect from the car park adjacent to the Downpatrick store.

A bus service transporting customers from Downpatrick to the Portadown Asda store twice daily will continue until New Year’s Day.

Ciara Smith, who manages the Downpatrick store, thanked staff and the local community for their support and understanding over the past few weeks as the company navigates change.

She added: “We’re really pleased to be able to share this update for plans for the store and are really excited about getting back to serving the local community.”  

South Down MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed confirmation that the Asda temporary store will open at the end of next month.

“This is a welcome announcement for workers from the store as well as independent retailers who operate in the town,” she said.

“From the outset, Sinn Féin stressed the importance of retaining workers and protecting as many jobs as possible.”

Mrs Mason is encouraging people to visit Downpatrick and support the “many fantastic independent retailers” in the town in the wake of last month’s devastating flood.

She added: “I will continue working to help Downpatrick recover from the recent flooding and to ensure the town gets back on its feet as quickly as possible.”