More than 100 eager bargain hunters were on site from 8am at the new Asda store in Arbroath’s Westway Retail Park this week, undeterred by a two-hour wait for the store to be declared officially open.
Monday’s opening marks a significant investment for Asda in Angus, coming just a week after another store began trading in Forfar.
Warehouse worker James Barrett (47), from Brechin, said: ”Before I got this job I had been applying for about 15 jobs every week and only about half of them even replied.
”When they (Asda) rang me back to tell me I had got the job here I said to the woman: ‘I could kiss you!”’
Local volunteer Ann Craig, who supports elderly people in the Arbroath area, was on hand to open the building, after being nominated through the firm’s Local Hero appeal. After cutting the ribbon she received £100 to spend in the store.
Pupils from Arbroath High School, who had buried a time capsule at the supermarket, were also present, as was retail park owner John Carsewell.
General manager Robert Wallace said many of his new staff had been out of work before joining the company.
He added: ”I know the people of Arbroath have been waiting for Asda to come into the town for several years, and from speaking to customers I know they are delighted that the store is open and they have been quick to welcome us to the town.
”We are looking forward to becoming part of the community.”
A lone piper from the Dundee-based MacKenzie Caledonian Pipe Band played customers into the store and staff handed out free chocolates and cakes along with long-life carrier bags.
First through the check-outs was North East MSP Alex Johnstone, who welcomed the new outlet, but added it should have been approved sooner.
”In the past the number of people who went to Dundee to spend their money was very high and that was money lost to the local economy,” he said. ”People now won’t have to leave the town to do their weekly shop and I genuinely believe this will be a boost for Arbroath.”
In addition to the usual food offer, the store has a George clothing department, customer restaurant and a bakery.
Shopper Gillian MacNab said she hadn’t expected so many people to turn out for the launch.
”It is totally packed,” she said. ”It has been a long time coming for Arbroath and I think a lot of people will come here. I don’t think it will have too much of a bad effect on the town centre because they sell different types of things.”
Angus Council planning restrictions had prevented a supermarket being built on the site however, a proposal to connect three separate units to form one large premises was finally accepted by councillors earlier this year.
Plans for the land showed areas marked off for the plots two at 10,000 square feet and one at 16,000 square feet which have been joined up to provide the required floor and warehouse space.