A Merseyside town is set to see the return of a 24-hour supermarket.
Southport was left without an all-night supermarket following the coronavirus pandemic which saw Tesco Extra in Kew reduce its opening hours as the town adapted to life with face masks and hand sanitiser. Now, Sefton Council has approved the construction of a brand new Asda store to be built near the town centre.
The new store will be built on the site of the current "underperforming" BP petrol station, with the convenience store being the first Asda convenience store in the town. The application is the second to be put forward for the site in recent years, with a drive-thru Starbucks initially approved in 2017 but work was never started.
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In a report submitted as part of the planning process, it said: "The application seeks full planning permission for the demolition and decommissioning of an existing PFS (petrol filling station) and linked convenience store and erection of a replacement convenience store and associated works at BP PFS, 3A Scarisbrick New Road, Southport.
"It is the intention for the convenience store to be occupied and operated by Asda.
"It is noted that 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 planning application comes as it has been noticed that the petrol station is underperforming according to a report submitted. It said: "The existing PFS 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."
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