Battle of the Supermarkets in Carlisle to Create Jobs

Asda is set to create 100 new jobs when it opens a new superstore in Carlisle later this summer.
It was revealed last autumn that Asda was looking to redevelop the earlier MFI unit at St Nicholas Gate Retail Park.

The new Asda is four times as big as the old one near the site, 25,000sq ft rather than the present 6,000sq ft. Unlike the existing division, there will be no planning restriction preventing the sale of non-food items at the new site. The Asda clothing brand will have its own 4,000sq ft section stocking items for women, men and children. There will be a further 219 car parking spaces once a Burger King is demolished.

Budget retailer Aldi, in the meantime, has made enquiries about acquiring the nearby former John Laing site in Dalston Road. Negotiations are considered to be at an early stage and neither Aldi nor the land owners are at a stage to comment.

Tesco is also understood to be close to finalising plans for a supermarket at nearby Morton. The city council owns the location, which has outline planning permission for a large supermarket, cafe, filling station and takeaway. Council officials said that they were close to announcing a deal.