Asda opens doors in Telford creating 50 jobs

More than 200 people queued for the opening of the £4 million supermarket, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, including MP David Wright, mayor Leon Murray and long-serving employees.

The store has been built on the site of the old council offices. It is taking over from the current Asda inside Telford Shopping Centre and will form part of the town's new Southwater development.

Liz Smith, of Donnington, was one of the first shoppers to buy something from the store. She said: "It's really well designed, it's nice and it's very big."

The pharmacy at the former store will remain open until Sunday.

Hundreds of eager shoppers queued up in the cold February weather ready for the grand opening today at 10am.

Christine Owen, from Prince Charles Crescent in Malinslee, was the first in the queue.

She said: "We always do our shopping at this time but this new store is closer and it's all on one level so it is easier to get around.

"We've only had a small Asda, we want a big Asda."

Kim Parton, of Coachwell Close in Malinslee, said: "It is good for people who can't walk up stairs. It is closer for me, I don't need to go to the shopping centre to get bread, I can come here."

Before the official opening, Asda staff took part in a huddle, a tradition at the opening of any new shop where colleagues have a motivational speech and get ready for the first day of trading.

Workers Peter Rhodes and Celia Dawson came straight from the huddle to help with the opening.

The pair have worked in the old Asda store for 38 and 39 years respectively.

Mr Rhodes said the transition into the new shop was going to be a difficult one.

He said: "It is going to be strange.

"I've had a look round but until Sunday I'll be helping to keep the old stop going. It's like starting a new job today."

Mrs Dawson, who started at Asda in 1974 said: "I like the work, and the people are good, when you get a combination of good people and a good job then that's the most important thing.

"I think the new shop will be great once we've stamped our personality on it, once we know where everything is and once the customers get used to it."

Manager Kev Prince worked as manager in the Donnington Asda for four years, but said he was excited for the store to finally open.

He said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic, this is what we've been waiting for. The size of the queue is fantastic."

Mayor Leon Murray said: "It is very exciting. I think anything that brings jobs and boosts the local economy is good. Straight away this shop has brought 50 new jobs.

"I think what is good about this shop is that if people come to shop and it is chucking down with rain, they can park, go shopping, come back and load up their shopping and stay dry.

"Now, this area is starting to look more like a town centre."

Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council was also on hand at the opening ceremony. He said this opening was particularly exciting as it was a precursor to the opening of the new Southwater development.

He said: "Asda, the town centre, Southwater, the cinema are all opening up in this area, and it means more jobs and good news for the economy.

"This is the first part of the Southwater development to open and when the main part opens we will have a real razzmatazz."

Telford MP David Wright said: "It is great to be here at the opening and see the massive investment Asda has made in Telford.

When I was a student I worked at the Carrefour store in Telford, so I've seen a lot of changes over the years."

The new Asda will be open 24 hours and has a petrol station on site. It has been built on the site of Telford & Wrekin Council's former Civic Offices and has taken a little over nine months from the demolition of the old buildings to today's opening.

Asda has taken all the 320 staff from their existing Telford Town Shopping Centre store over to the new shop, which covers 42,500 square foot.

Customers who currently have to pay to park will be able to use 600 free underground parking spaces at the new store, which is next to the ongoing Southwater development.

The store will also feature a new opticians, as well as a Click & Collect service that allows shoppers to order online and collect it ready packed from the store.