New Asda superstore fear for Ashington family

Posted by The Journal on Jun 27, 09 12:41 PM in News

A desperate family fear their three businesses could be sunk by the development of a £25m superstore next door.

Bob Brown, 64, pictured, his wife Margaret, 62, and son Steve, 42, say there is a real risk they will be forced to close down because of the construction of the massive new Asda supermarket on the former Portland Park football ground in Ashington.

Ashington Carpet Company

They claim trade has plummeted by between 50% and 80% since March, when the building site swallowed up 280 parking spaces opposite their premises in Lintonville Terrace, which were used by customers.

Now they fear the final straw could be plans by contractors to erect a safety fence for up to six weeks right in front of their shop to allow road widening and other improvements to be carried out for the new store.

For the past four years, Mr and Mrs Brown have run The Ashington Carpet Company business, while Steve operates a model shop and photography business from the same building.

Contractors employed by Asda have told them that 14 weeks' of work will start early next month.

Mr Brown said: "I have been told that a safety fence will be put up on the pavement two metres from the front of our shop for four to six weeks, and I am totally and absolutely desperate.

"This fence will cause us to lose even more passing trade, because people will have to make a detour to get in, and I might as well shut the doors. While we might benefit from the Asda store when it opens, there is no way we can survive all of this.

A spokesman for Asda said the fence would be erected for five weeks while road widening is carried out.

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