Plans for a new supermarket in Barrhead which could bring 200 new jobs to the town have been announced, with ASDA set to build a major new store on the former Health Centre site.

ASDA has announced plans to invest over £20 million in a new supermarket in Barrhead, and has won the right to build the store after seeing off competition from both Tesco and Sainsbury.

Following the tender process, Asda will put forward a planning application for the Council-owned site which borders Church Street, Main Street and the River Leven.

If approved the supermarket will bring up to 200 new permanent jobs to the town, as well as another 200 posts during the store’s construction.

This is the latest development announced as part of the town's regeneration following news of a £3.8 million extension to Barrhead Sports Centre to create a new leisure and learning centre, Barrhead Steps.

The planned new supermarket will include a new Asda store with a sales area of approximately 25,000 sq ft, with an investment of over £20 million into the local economy.

The Asda store will regenerate a currently redundant site, and the proposals will include an investment of £800,000 to integrate the supermarket within the town centre and involve a range of public realm, access and green space improvements to the front and rear of the store.

If the application is approved, Asda will aim to set up its 'Asda Magic' Recruitment Centre in Barrhead to target local job seekers, making sure that the focus of the employment opportunities is local - meaning that it is giving people in the area the best opportunity of landing a role in the store.

Asda is also keen to work with East Renfrewshire Council and its partner organisations to ensure that a new Asda store in Barrhead can bring as many benefits to the local business community as possible. In addition, it aims to work with local suppliers to develop its current range of products and increase sales. The firm currently works with over 150 local suppliers that provide around 1,200 products to its stores.

Lisa Rooke, Asda's Property Communications Manager for Scotland, said: "We are pleased to be announcing our proposals for a new store in Barrhead and are keen to hear what the local community thinks of our plans. Our proposals would enable us to make a significant investment in the town, regenerating a currently redundant site, and generating up to 200 new jobs for local people. "We believe that the new store can provide consumers with an improved choice on where to carry out their supermarket shopping, as well as bringing Asda's quality products and famous low prices to the area. "We are looking forward to consulting and working with the local community as our proposals progress and will be undertaking a programme of community engagement in the coming weeks."

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