SALISBURY shoppers have given an initial enthusiastic response to Asda’s plans to build a new supermarket on London Road.

After the Journal reported last week that the supermarket chain is considering building a store near Bishopdown Farm, many local people have already shown their support for the plan.

Some say they currently travel to other towns to shop at Asda, while others want more choice or to avoid the congested Southampton Road when they do their weekly shop.

Asda has now released more details about its proposed new store, which would create up to 350 jobs.

The supermarket would have a sales area of 40,000 sq ft – a superstore rather than a megastore – and sell clothing, electrical items and household goods as well as food.

There would also be a petrol station and home shopping service.

The company says an area of land on the empty site – which is called Salisbury Retail Park – would be available for community use.

A public exhibition is being held on Saturday, April 26 at Hampton Park Pavilion where people can find out more.

Brochures and invitations are being sent to 1700 local homes.

Doug Wilson, head of UK property communications at ASDA said: “ASDA is not represented in Salisbury and we have been looking to open a store here for some time. Residents wishing to shop at ASDA currently have to drive to Andover or our stores in Totton and Eastleigh.

"There are also no food stores serving the many residents living in the north of the city. Bringing ASDA to London Road would create more choice and competition for local people in a location close to residential areas that is suitable and sustainable.

“We are now starting the consultation process for the store and invite local people to come along to our exhibition on April 26. ASDA’s team, which includes experts on planning, highways and store design, will be on hand to answer all questions from the local community. We look forward to seeing people there.” But the application has already sparked some concerns about increased traffic on the already busy London Road.

Wiltshire councillor Ian McLennan said: “I’m not sure how people living in the area will feel about even more lorries and cars using this road which is already very congested, especially when so many new homes are already being built there and will make the problem worse.

“We will have to think about if this is the best place for a new supermarket.”

Asda says a planning application is likely to be submitted this spring and a public consultation will take place then.