A new 24-hour Asda store could open soon in Southport.
The new facility would open at 3A Scarisbrick New Road, near the junction with Virginia Street, after the demolition and decommissioning of the current ‘under-performing’ BP Petrol Filling Station and Spar shop.
It would be owned by the Issa’ brothers’ EG Group, creating eight new full-time jobs.
It would be the first Asda convenience store in Southport, adding to the current Asda superstore at Central 12 retail park on Derby Road.
A full planning application for the scheme has been lodged with Sefton Council.
The new store would be over three times as large as the existing Spar store on site, a growth from 93m² to 350m².
Five years ago plans were submitted to transform the site on Scarisbrick New Road into Southport’s first Starbucks drive through coffee shop, which never materialised.
Starbucks is currently pursuing plans to open its drive through coffee shop at Ocean Plaza in Southport instead.
The planning statement was submitted by Asbri Planning Ltd in Swansea.
In it, they said: “The application seeks full planning permission for the demolition and decommissioning of an existing Petrol Filling Station and linked convenience store and erection of a replacement convenience store and associated works at BP Petrol Filling Station, 3A Scarisbrick New Road, Southport.
“It is the intention for the convenience store to be occupied and operated by Asda.
“There are other convenience goods retailers near the site. These comprise Lidl and Asda supermarkets, there is also a smaller convenience store, McColls off Portland Street. The proposed development therefore provides potential for linked trips with existing operators in addition to providing a ‘walk to’ top-up facility for those living in the vicinity of the site.
“The existing convenience store on site amounts to 93m². It is proposed to increase this to 350m² to provide a local store that is fit for purpose as a top-up function rather than act as a comprehensive convenience store.
“The proposed store will replace the existing convenience store on site and will be located within the centre of the site, where the existing Petrol Filling Station is sited.
“The proposed development will provide 21 customer spaces (including disabled spaces). The car park will also include 2 spaces with charging points encouraging more carbon neutral modes of transport.
“In regard to appearance of the proposed convenience store, it will be engineered to be one storey and comprise a modern design which will comprise a positive enhancement to the site and surrounding area
“It is proposed that the units will operate on a 24-hour basis.
“Finally, the proposed development will result in economic benefits in the form of significant job creation in the form of circa 8 FTE positions.”
The firm revealed that the BP facility was due to be decommissioned because of a lack of customers.
They said: “The existing Petrol Filling Station is underperforming.
“EG Group, a market leader in the provision of fuel sale throughout the UK are seeking an alternative use in order to avoid the prospect of a long-term vacancy at the site.
“The decommissioning of petrol filling stations is a time consuming and cost hungry process.
“There are few prospective uses which would enable a viable redevelopment to be undertaken and a positive use brought forward at such sites.
“The use of the land as a convenience store would represent such a use and will result in a continuation of retail uses at the site, enable job retention / creation and an increased level of choice and value for customers who will overwhelmingly be drawn from the immediate locality. “The proposed store is small in scale and not large enough to give rise to impact concerns in respect of existing shopping patterns.”
What is the EG Group?
Based in Blackburn, EG Group was founded in 2001 by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa with the acquisition of a single petrol filling station in Bury, Greater Manchester.
In October 2017 the company rebranded its Europe Wide operations to the EG Group since establishing itself as one of Europe’s fastest growing and most recognisable forecourt operators, with an expanding portfolio of 341 freehold-owned petrol stations located throughout mainland UK and a large number of separate roadside welfare facilities (roadside restaurants and motorway service areas).
The company operates approximately 2,500 sites across Europe (including the UK) and employs approximately 12,500 people.
Alongside an innovative approach to roadside retail property, EG Group has forged high-profile relationships with nationally and globally recognised retail and convenience brands, now operating in excess of 142 Starbucks drive-to and drive-thru restaurants, 161 KFC restaurants, 12 Burger Kings, 153 Subway sub-stations, 4 Sbarro, 2 Cinnabon and 200 Greggs bakeries.
EG Group is the largest franchisee for Subway in Europe and has also recently completed the purchase of Leon – a largely plant / vegan based fast food restaurant.
The company’s vision is to collaboratively engage and work with leading retail brand partners to be able to deliver a world class fuel, convenience, food and drink offer that exceeds the expectations of the modern consumer.
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