Asda: Let's not miss a great opportunity

Hugh Coster said councillors this afternoon faced a choice between making Bognor a retailing destination or condemning it to become a shopping backwater.

"To turn down Asda would be complete and utter shortsightedness as far as Bognor is concerned.

"It is ridiculous for Arun District Council to say there is not enough business for them. Asda would not want to come here if they did not think there were enough retail opportunities.

"The council should be welcoming Asda with open arms and working with them to provide the best opportunities from their store for Bognor town centre and for the business park the council want to create at Oldlands Farm.

"Virtually everyone in Bognor is in favour of Asda coming here. These people know the town and know it needs an Asda."

Mr Coster continued that Asda stores attracted shoppers from a wide area. Bognor would benefit if they came to a store at Oldlands Farm off the A29 Shripney Road.

"If the council worked with Asda, they could form a partnership with them to ensure the town centre benefits from their presence," he commented.

CiViC has been joined by many other Bognor organisations in supporting Asda.

Bersted, Bognor and Middleton want to see the store allowed along with the Bognor Regis Ltd and Bognor Regis Chamber of Commerce business groups.

Backing has also come from residents who have sent individual letters of support to Arun District Council. Thirty back Asda generally and 12 support the proposed site at Oldlands Farm off Shripney Road. Only the Bognor Regis regeneration task force objects because it says the store will not play a part in the town's coherent regeneration.

Arun's own departments - such as environmental health and engineers '“ are happy with the prospect of an Asda from their professional viewpoint as well. County council departments like highways and archaeological are content with the proposed scheme.

Natural England and the Highways Agency see no reason to object. Only the Environment Agency, because of a failure to test the flood risk of other sites first, has raised an objection among organisations Arun have to consult.

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