RETAIL giant Asda is planning to build a brand new foodstore in Widnes, Halton Council announced this week.

The state-of-the art 90,000 sq ft development will secure the future of 239 employees currently based at Halebank - and create a further 100 new jobs.

As exclusively revealed in the World last September, the new Asda store will form the flagship of a major £21 million regeneration of Widnes town centre.

The Simms Cross annexe of Halton College, Widnes Road shops and houses in Lambert Court will be bulldozed to make way for the new development.

It will include a cafe, petrol station and 490-space customer car park.

If the plans are approved in October, building work will start in January 2001. The store is expected to open seven months later.

Stan Aspinall, regional trading and operations manager for Asda, said staff at Halebank were delighted when he broke the news to them at 7.30am on Tuesday morning.

He said: "We felt it was very important that they heard first. Their response was really really positive.

"There is an absolute total guarantee to all the people who work in the store who wish to transfer. There will be an opportunity for people to work in new departments, more job security and longer contractual hours."

He said Asda was delighted to be relocating into the town centre after coming second in their bid for the Morrisons site.

"We have always been committed to re-siting and bringing to Widnes a state-of-the-art store.

"To say we are delighted is an understatement."

He said Asda will be working closely with the council to develop new opportunities for the Halebank community.

"We will work very hard to do what is right," said Mr Aspinall. "We value the loyal customer base we have built up in Halebank. We are not going to say thank you and goodbye."

Halebank store manager Stefan Swiatyj commended the local community for their continued loyalty and support. He said: "I have never worked where the store is the local community. It is a credit to the people who work and live there. Many of our colleagues have worked with us for 28-29 years.

"Asda invests heavily in its store and people. It is exciting to be sitting round the table with Halton Council, bringing a new store with up-to-date facilities to Widnes."

Council leader Tony McDermott said: "Asda has always been very supportive of the community.

"I am looking forward to working with the company. This plan is part of a big regeneration for Widnes as a whole. It will give the town a much needed boost."

Lambert Court residents will be invited to help design their new homes in Lacey Street at meetings with the architect in September.

Asda is the first store to sign a deal with Widnes Regeneration Ltd, the partnership company formed between Halton Council and St Modwen Properties plc.

Their ambitious pledge to revitlise Widnes town centre with a £21 million facelift is part of a rolling programme to bring new stores to the north of Albert Road and the south end of Widnes Road and Victoria Square.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.