Asda thumbs up from business

The retailer's 30m intention to install the services for a high quality business park and build its first 10,000sq ft office building next to the new store has won backing from Bognor Regis Ltd.

The company represents 22 firms around the town. They employ some 1,200 staff.

The support of Bognor Regis Ltd contrasts with its initial opposition to the intention of Asda to open on Oldlands Farm off the A29 Shripney Road.

David Myers, Bognor Regis Ltd's consultant, said its members now believed Asda's commitment to helping achieve the long-awaited goal of a modern business park deserved support.

He said Arun District Council should negotiate an agreement with Asda to ensure the town benefited from the store.

This deal should include a commitment from Asda and the landowner, the Langmead Trust, that:

Asda completes an agreed amount of work on the business park infrastructure and builds a minimum 10,000sq ft commercial building at the same time as it constructs the new store;

a recognised commercial development partner is brought in to develop, market and maintain the business park; and

both freehold and leasehold facilities are available on the business park.

Mr Myers said: "Asda have put together an interesting proposal which, in part, reflects Arun's commercial land use allocation with the local plan. We believe there is now a timely opportunity to meet both parties' aspirations. We would encourage a solution, along the lines we have suggested, to be negotiated. This would enable Bognor to have the benefit of an enhanced competitive food retailing environment along with the benefits of valuable industrial employment."

Bognor Regis Ltd's change of view follows a U-turn by the town's chamber of commerce about Asda. The chamber's executive committee backed the new store for raising Bognor's retailing profile provided Asda supported the town centre, through a free park and ride system, to limit the new store's impact on existing shops.

Mr Myers said Bognor Regis Ltd's partner companies '“ who include John Wiley and Sons Ltd, Eurotek, JCC Lighting, Eaton Power Solutions and Solatron Metrology '“ had identified the urgent need for new commercial and industrial sites around the town.