"Wherever there's an Asda cost of living goes down" (From Worcester News)

Local RSS Feed

"Wherever there's an Asda cost of living goes down"

12:10pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in Local Photograph of the Author By David Paine, @davidpaineWN #worcsnews

RESPONSIBILITY: Richard Kennea, the general manager of the new Worcester Asda store

MOST of the staff have been appointed, the fixtures are being fitted and anticipation is building as the opening of Worcester’s first Asda superstore edges closer.

Customers will not have to wait too much longer though as the new supermarket in Lowesmoor will be opening its doors to the public at 10am on Monday, March 26.

With the opening date looming, the man in charge has admitted there is a lot of pressure on him to make sure Asda is a success in the city.

Richard Kennea, the store’s general manager, said: “I need to get it right. It’s a massive responsibility but I always look at the positives around that.

“Worcester is what we refer to as an Asda desert so I’m excited about bringing Asda to a place that previously hasn’t had one and to really get involved with the local community.”

Mr Kennea, aged 44, of Kingswinford, West Midlands, is in his ninth year with Asda.

He has experience of opening a new store as he was the man in charge when Asda set up shop in Halesowen about three years ago.

He said he had been overwhelmed by the response from the public – not least by the fact that about 3,800 people applied for about 300 jobs.

“I have been humbled really,” he said. “The majority of applications have been from local people but we did have a man get the train up from London.

"That was amazing, but is very much the exception rather than the rule. It’s local jobs for local people.”

Asda is the anchor of the £75 million redevelopment of Lowesmoor, where other shops, restaurants and leisure facilities are expected to open up in due course.

Mr Kennea said he thought Worcester’s shopping scene was already very good.

He said: “As a shopper I have always enjoyed Worcester but what Asda will bring is more choice, simple as that.

“We know that wherever we open a store, we drive down the cost of living.”

Local primary schools are already involved in creating a jingle that will be played on radio in the week after Asda opens in Worcester.

On the day there will be a breakfast roadshow, entertainment and food samples.

Across Easter weekend staff will be staging the Asda Price Guarantee gameshow which will raise money for St Richard’s Hospice.

Surprises in store

• It will be a 41,000 square foot store.

• About 270 people will be employed permanently while about 40 will be taken on temporarily. Depending on the store’s success, many of those could gain permanent employment.

• As well as selling food, the store will stock George clothing and electrical goods.

• The supermarket will also contain a tapas bar, a photo centre and a pharmacy while coffee retailer Costa will have a café in store.

• Bosses will not get the keys until Friday, March 16, giving staff 10 days to fully stock the shelves.

• That will require 14 artic lorries and, once complete, about 30,000 products will be on sale in store.

Comments(22)

rids says...
12:22pm Thu 9 Feb 12

Its great to have Asda setting up in Worcester I just wonder how shoppers will cope in travelling by car to and from the shop. The traffic in the area is bad now whats it going to be like when more shoppers try and travel to and from it!