Business makesU-turn over superstore plan

The executive committee of the chamber of commerce has performed a U-turn in supporting the national retailer.

It was stated last month by Bognor Regis Ltd that the chamber was against Asda's planned presence at Oldlands Farm off the A29 Shripney Road.

But the committee's meeting this week voted decisively by 6-1 to welcome the company's proposals.

Chamber chairman and president Nick Stuart-Nicolson told Monday's that the presence of Asda would be good for Bognor's retailing profile and attracting people to spend money in the town rather than elsewhere.

It also appeared likely that Asda's willingness to spend millions of pounds installing all the services needed for a long-awaited business park to be built at Oldlands Farm - as well as a 10,000sq ft office block - was the only way the site would be developed.

'There appears to be mounting and overwhelming support for the Asda project,' he explained.

'Particularly, because it would appear that Asda's contribution will be the only way forward due to their proposal to substantially develop the site, install the infrastructure and provide the first office building.'

But he said the chamber's support should be conditional on Asda providing park and ride facilities from its store to the town centre.

'If Asda bring in so many extra people to do their shopping around Bognor, and 10pc of them go on into the town centre, that has to be good for the town,' he explained.

Shirley Hardy, a committee member, said: 'I'm in favour of Asda coming here because it will give Bognor a better shopping choice,' she stated.

Fellow member Ian Harding said he did not want Asda to be sited on a location earmarked for high-tech and high skilled jobs.

But he said he would welcome their presence elsewhere around the town. Asda expects to submit a planning application to Arun District Council for its 75,000sq ft store, office block and the business park works early next year.

The district council has long earmarked the area as its favoured location for a business park.