A SUPERMARKET giant has revealed plans to open a new flagship store.

Asda has announced plans to build a major new store in the Dragonville area of Durham City.

The proposed 400-job store would be built on the former Mono Containers factory site on Dragon Lane, just yards from the existing Tesco Extra superstore.

The retailer today (TUES) said it would hold a public exhibition next week as the first step in a community consultation process ahead of a formal planning application being submitted to Durham County Council within the next few months.

Asda, which already operates a Living store at the Arnison Centre, is proposing to build a supermarket with a 45,000 sq ft sales area, slightly larger than the firm’s existing outlet at Stanley, along with petrol filling station and 365-space car park.

The company claims the completed development would create 400 new jobs for local people, a mixture of full-time and part-time posts, as well as an unspecified number of jobs during the construction phase.

It says it would also increase choice and competition for shoppers and regenerating what it describes as "a prominent, but long-neglected site".

Asda described the proposal as "a multi-million pound investment" which would provide "a major long-term boost to the economy of the area".

Philip Bartram, senior property communications manager with the company, said: "These plans have the potential to deliver not just a fresh and exciting new offer to local shoppers but a significant long-term economic boost to this part of the city.

"The creation of up to 400 new Asda jobs is set to make a huge difference to hundreds of local household budgets."

A public exhibition revealing details of the plans will be held at Laurel Avenue Community Centre, in Durham on Friday, January 10 from 10am to 4pm.

The company says it is keen to seek the views of the local community before submitting a planning application over the coming months and staff will be on hand to answer questions from the public.

Mr Bartram added: "It will not only help our prospective new customers, colleagues and neighbours in finding out more about the plans, it will help us too in understanding local views prior to finalising the planning application".