Another chapter in the story of an Exeter Asda superstore has been opened, following the announcement by the supermarket retailer last week that they have invested £600m in new stores.
In Thursday's statement on the chain's financial year, president and CEO of Asda, Andy Clarke revealed the plans for the giant over the coming year: "I'm pleased that we can announce our continued investment in the UK with £600m for new and improved stores in 2015. With such a powerful force like Walmart behind us that fully supports our strategy; we're in a unique position in a difficult market – a position of great strength," He said.
Part of this £600m investment would be in the opening of a total of seventeen new stores nationwide.
Asda's press office has declined to comment on where the new stores will be. However, the Echo reported in April great interest in two sites in Exeter by the company's location buyers. According to a spokesman for the retailer, the site of the Exeter Deaf Academy and the city centre bus station were both being ear-marked.
Penny White, branch manager at Asda Torquay and Exeter resident, spoke of a 'fantastic opportunity' should Asda make its way to Exeter: "Just in terms of accessibility to the services Asda provide, for Exeter residents who have a 20 mile drive to Newton Abbott, a 22 mile drive to us in Torquay, and around 30 mile trip to Taunton, it could be a fantastic opportunity."
On the possibility of staff relocation if a store opened its doors in Exeter, she was confident that current employees would be on board: "oh absolutely, many staff members would think about it and it would it would create many new jobs in the area."
