Tesco and Asda head for “Store Wars” in Huddersfield

Jul 30 2009 By Neil Atkinson

Part of the deal would see funds made available for a new Huddersfield Sports Centre.

Jennifer Duncan, Tesco’s corporate affairs manager said: “This latest exhibition follows two years of extensive consultation where we have revised and reworked the designs as a direct result of meeting with hundreds of local people, various community groups and interested stakeholders.

“We are now urging any interested parties or individuals to visit the exhibition where our team will be able to talk through these latest plans before they are submitted.

“We have made no secret of our ambition to create hundreds of new jobs in Huddersfield and we be believe that in these tough conditions, our Regeneration Partnership, through which we ring-fence a large number of jobs for people out of work or on benefits for at least six months, is more important than ever”.

The plans will be on show at the entrance of Tesco’s existing store on Viaduct Street from 10am to 4pm on Friday and 10am -2pm on Saturday.

An Asda spokesman said their plan would see them work with Broadbent Engineering to retain existing skilled manufacturing jobs.

Broadbent will be relocating to a more modern plant next to the store.

Prior to submitting the application, Asda carried out public consultation, including a public exhibition running at two separate town centre venues in late May and early June.

Philip Bartram, Property Communications Manager at ASDA, said: “We were bowled over by the positive response from local people.

“Many, many people were interested in working at ASDA and were very interested to hear about the new employment opportunities that will be created by the development”.