Booze Ruling Halts Asda's Store Plans

One of the world's largest supermarket groups has abandoned plans to open a second store in the north Belfast area - because it has been refused permission to sell alcohol.

Asda has pulled out of plans for a branch at the old Hillview Retail Park on the Crumlin Road because "none of their branches operated without a beer, wine and spirits licence".

While the retailer - part of the huge global conglomerate, Walmart - said it remained committed to investing £100m in NI over the next five years, "the court's decision to refuse Asda a licence to sell alcohol means we are unable to proceed with this particular development," a spokesperson said.

However: "Asda is to put £100m into other future developments over the next five years, including new store developments in Derry/Londonderry, and the re-siting of the Shore Road and Newtownards stores," said a statement.

Reaction has been swift, with the North Belfast DUP MLA William Humphrey saying that he intended meeting with the company to urge them to reconsider the decision to pull out of the Crumlin Road project.

"We are convinced that this still can work and will impress upon them the potential which exists at this location," he said.

"The loss of this proposed investment and the promised 230 jobs is a major blow for the local economy. Many people had prepared and were looking forward to applying for those jobs.

"We will also be meeting with the retail park owners and will continue to work to try and bring employment and retail opportunities to this part of north Belfast."

The MLA also said that Asda had "guaranteed that it would be moving in" once the liquor licence was secured.

"We are convinced that this still can work and will impress upon them the potential which exists at this location," he said.

However, the Sinn Fein MLA and Stormont Junior Minister took a harder line and slammed wgat he called Asda's "bully boy tactics" as they announced they are pulling out of a proposed North Belfast development when their drinks licence was rejected.

"Pulling out of a huge development because they couldn't sell cheap drink is simply bully boy tactics," said Mr Kelly

"This proposal would have regenerated the surrounding deprived communities providing local jobs, local investment and food shopping within walking distance for the community of Ardoyne and the Crumlin Road.

"Asda's aggressive marketing strategy is imposing a one-size-fits-all model and it's take it or leave it for our community and the courts rejection of Asda's application for a drinks licence must be respected.

"Asda's treatment of local people is contemptible at a time when we are making every effort to deal with alcohol sales in a responsible, community orientated way," he fumed.

But there was better news on planning issues elsewhere this week as the East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long welcomed the announcement of school building projects at both Lagan College and Tor Bank School.

A £31m contract has been signed for new and upgraded buildings at the schools.

The MP said: "This is very good news for both schools. Tor Bank has been operating from mobile classrooms for a significant period of time and improved facilities were simply vital.

"We hope that this news means that Tor Bank will soon have facilities and buildings to match the excellent work that is undertaken there."

(BMcC/KMcA)