Supermarket chain Asda looks to be coming to Arbroath’s Westway retail park after a 14-year wait.
Rumours had been rife in the town that the retail giant was set to move into the area, however the firm’s refusal to confirm its intentions has led to speculation.
BAM Construction is working on the development and on Thursday two diggers and one bulldozer were clearing away top soil in preparation for the store’s foundations going in.
Workmen at the back gate to the site claimed it was Asda behind the development, and a member of staff in the site office said he worked for the company.
A fence has been put up to section off the work area, which includes a strip leading off the A92, where a new access road will be built.
The Angus Council planning approval for the section of land being bulldozed, shows areas marked off for three units-two at 10,000 square feet and one at 16,000 square feet.
The front of the store will be in line with the former Acorn Pet Centres unit, but the outlet will stretch deeper and continue on as wide as the fence belonging to the Presentation Products factory next door.
Arbroath councillor Peter Nield confirmed that permission had been granted to link the three units, providing a combined floor space of 36,000 square feet.
He said, “Under delegated approval the department gave permission for the walls between the separate units to be removed, but with no increase in overall size.
“I have worked really hard with the owner of the site to encourage him with the application and this has been something that has been at the forefront of my mind since starting in the west of Arbroath 10 years ago.
“Obviously as a councillor all I can do is offer support and encouragement to any developer and this is something that both myself and David Fairweather have been involved with together.
“We have already lost Iceland in the town and the Co-op has been downsized, so this can only be another boost which will bring more jobs to Arbroath.”Woolworths effectMr Nield added that the closure of the local Woolworths store had been a factor in council officers passing the supermarket plans, as the local authority strictly regulates the amount of floor space set aside for food and retail developments in the town as a whole.
Several large trucks belonging to construction firm Geddes could be seen coming and going from the access road behind the existing Westway units, as they removed tons of soil.
The first sod was cut this week and since then the excavators have made quick progress, completely clearing the overgrown grassy area.
Arbroath Councillor Donald Morrison said the creation of new jobs at the Westway would be a welcome boost following the closure of both Acorn Pets and Focus DIY.
“It has been a long time coming and people in the town have wanted it to happen for years,” he added. “Obviously there are still concerns regarding the town centre and the loss of trade caused by a big supermarket moving in-but these have to be balanced against the need to stop people leaving Arbroath to spend their money in Dundee.
“It is a welcome move and nobody can say that we don’t need the jobs after the blow the local economy has been dealt.”
Asda had not responded to a request for comment at the time of going to print. Westway developers MacDonald Estates are expected to make an announcement on the site next week.