300 jobs to be created as Asda confirms 2013 superstore opening in Barry (From Barry And District News)

300 jobs to be created as Asda confirms 2013 superstore opening in Barry

7:50am Thursday 5th July 2012 in News By Sharon Harris

A SUPERMARKET giant is set to open its first store in Barry - with the promise of up to 300 new jobs when it opens in autumn 2013.

Asda this week confirmed itself as the chosen anchor operator for the £230m Quays development at Barry Waterfront, creating the local work opportunities and providing a major boost to the local economy.

The 32,000 sq ft store will be Asda’s first in the Vale and will be built to the latest environmental standards.

Barry Waterfront Consortium completed the deal with Asda as enabling works to prepare the site for the first phase of development get under way.

Asda's senior property communications manager Oliver Jones said: "We’re really excited about the prospect of becoming part of the local community in Barry.

"We’ve recently been voted Britain’s Favourite Supermarket for the second year in a row, and Britain’s Lowest Priced Supermarket for the 15th year in a row.

"We hope that our famous low prices and our commitment to being great neighbours will be a welcome benefit to the local community.

"Each store has a dedicated Community Colleague whose role it is to make links with local residents and groups to help with fundraising and volunteering," he added.

"There will also be up to 300 jobs of all types available for local people in the store."

He said that Asda typically starts recruiting three months before a store opens, and details on how to apply for vacancies would be provided further down the line.

The residential phase of the Waterfront development is due to start next spring with a sales centre expected to open in a year's time.

Consortium spokesman Richard Keogh said: "We have been in discussion with supermarket operators for some time, so it is great to be able to finally announce that we will be working with Asda in Barry.

"Creating a sustainable community has always been at the heart of the plans for The Quays, from site remediation and habitat protection, through to the layout of the scheme and investment in green buildings.

"The fact that Asda will be building one of the most environmentally friendly supermarkets in the UK right here in Barry further demonstrates this."

The Quays development - of which the supermarket is an integral part - marks the final phase in the large-scale regeneration of the waterfront.

It aims to create a 'sustainable mixed-use community focused around the water', with new parks and children’s play areas, promenades and public spaces to help connect Barry and the Island.