Asda gets green light in Tain

A SUPERMARKET store wars saga which has rumbled on for years looks set to be concluded next year with the opening of a new Asda in Easter Ross.

The retailing giant, which had been embroiled in a lengthy dispute with bitter rival Tesco over its plans for Tain, has this week been granted full planning permission by Highland Council — paving the way for a store opening next summer and an ambitious housing and office development masterplan.

Asda will now press ahead with its plans for a multimillion-pound 40,867 sq. ft store and filling station, creating up to 220 full- and part-time jobs in the historic royal burgh.

Lisa Rooke, property communications manager for Asda, Scotland, said, "This is great news for Tain, finally bringing much-needed jobs and competition. Asda is delighted that the Highland Council has approved the reserved matters application for our Tain proposals.

"This is a great step forward for the project, which will finally allow us to proceed to the construction of this long-awaited supermarket later this year."

The local authority — criticised in some quarters for the way it has dealt with Asda-related applications in the Highlands — approved the detailed proposals for the supermarket with no objections.

Following the consent, Asda will be holding talks with the Council regarding Gaelic signposting to the site.

Asda hopes to begin work on the site later this year, with a potential store opening in summer 2012.

Lisa Rooke added, "In line with our developments across Scotland, we will ensure that the site will be properly landscaped and the store will meet our rigorous sustainability criteria. We are also in contact with the Council about Gaelic signage for the supermarket."

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