24-hour Asda store: Where in UK has it received the go-ahead?

Asda has received the go-ahead from councillors to open a new store at Warth Park. This store, which will be just off the A45 in London Road on the outskirts of Raunds, will be a 24-hour store. While it is unclear when this new store will open, it is understood that it will create about 40 part and full-time jobs.

The Leeds-headquartered company, however, did not get the permissions immediately for this store, which apart from being open for 24 hours is planned to house a petrol filling station, jet wash, customer car park, service yard and associated landscaping. The planning management committee of East Northants Council had previously deferred the application for such a store by Asda.

It is, however, understood the council had postponed giving the approvals because it wanted more time to discuss a few issues with the planned store. These issues relates to the roof form of the store, the number of parking spaces the store would come with and the feasibility of providing a lay-by for the bus-stop.

A few councillors were also concerned if the store would disturb the people living near it, which is a possibility if items are delivered to the store at odd timings such as very late in the night or very early in the morning. The planning officer said Asda bosses had, however, told the councillors that they were expecting only four heavy goods vehicles and three smaller deliveries per day to this store.

That said, the councillors have, however, failed to finalise the timings during which the deliveries could be made. Despite this, it is understood that the officials have gone ahead and approved the plans, according to Northampton Chronicle.