SUPERMARKET bosses said they received positive feedback to multi-million pound plans for a new store in Durham City.

Asda is looking to build on the former Mono Containers factory site in Dragon Lane, Dragonville, just yards away from a Tesco Extra superstore.

The company is looking to submit a planning application to Durham County Council in the next few months.

The Northern Echo:

If planning permission is secured, Asda hopes to take on 400 full and part-time workers and to open the store early in 2016. The 45,000sq ft will be bigger than the company’s store at Stanley. Asda says its proposals will help regenerate a derelict site.

It held a public exhibition of its proposals today (Friday, January 10) in the Laurel Avenue Community Centre, on the Sherburn Road Estate.

As well as people interested in the planning application, many visitors enquired about job opportunities.

Asda's Senior Property Communications Manager Philip Bartram said: “We have been very busy. We have had quite a number of people through the door and lots of feedback.

“There has been a lot of interest in local employment opportunities.

“People have been keen to have an Asda in the area because they currently have to travel out of the area to Spennymoor and Stanley for their nearest Asda stores.

“People are saying it is a good thing because it will give them choice.”

Mr Bartram added that plans for a petrol station at the store also proved popular.

One visitor to the exhibition, from nearby Gilesgate Moor, who asked not be named, told The Northern Echo, he welcomed the plans.

“I think Tesco need a bit of competition,’’ he said. “It is an eyesore site that they are looking to build on. The last I heard it was going to be a multiplex cinema, but if we can’t have that then this is the next best thing. It is a positive step.

“While I was at the exhibition there was a feeling that it will be a good thing if the jobs at the store are for locals.”