After years of planning controversy and a less drawn-out construction phase, Asda has unveiled its latest supermarket on the former site of Angus Council’s St James Road headquarters in Forfar.
The skirl of the pipes from Glenn Ross and a ribbon-cutting by ‘local hero’ William Milne marked Monday’s official opening of the £15m store, where hundreds of shoppers had gathered.
Mr Milne (79) was nominated for the honour by friends and neighbours around his Kemsley Park home in the town in recognition of the help he gives them.
A new snow shovel might have been on his Asda shopping list after he last year battled the big freeze to clear a path from the houses in the street to allow neighbours to get out to the shops for vital supplies.
He also tackles everything from weeding to window-cleaning.
Neighbour Pat Greig was delighted to see Mr Milne given the chance to cut the ribbon and receive a £100 voucher to spend in the new store.
Store manager David Ritchie said: ”We’re delighted to bring the Asda experience to Forfar. The great news is also bringing 240 jobs, and 80% of those were people who were unemployed, so that is fantastic news.”
Forfar’s claim to having the newest Asda in Angus will be short-lived, however, with the company’s Westway premises in Arbroath due to be unveiled next Monday.
Photo photosonlocation.