Plans approved to improve facilities at Asda in Hartlepool

PLANS have been approved for two developments which will increase and improve facilities on offer at Asda in Hartlepool.

Proposals have been given the go-ahead by Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to improve the existing click and collect facilities at the Marina Way supermarket.

The existing collection point will be replaced with three new click and collect bays and extra space for delivery vans, which will mean “improved home shopping capacity.”

Proposals have also been approved by council planning officers to open a new retail pod in the car park of the site, which will be occupied by Timpson, who offer dry cleaning, key cutting, shoe repairs, watch repairs and engraving.

The improvements to the click and collect service will provide the option for customers to shop online and either collect their shopping from the car park, or have it delivered to their homes.

A design and access statement, submitted by C and A Design on behalf of Asda, previously stated the proposals will benefit customers of the supermarket.

It said: “Its installation will improve customer experience and speed of service by introducing a drive through service.

“The application seeks to improve on Asda’s existing commitment to its ‘home shopping’ service which provides for customers to shop online.

“The increased provision is to meet both current and future demand for the home shopping offer.”

The development will also see the existing home delivery van canopy at the site extended.

A council planning officer report confirmed the proposals have been approved and the alterations will have no negative impact on the site.

They said: “The proposed development would serve an existing well-used retail store within a designated retail park and would provide increased capacity for the store’s grocery collection facilities.”

A report from a council planning officer also confirmed the proposals for the Timpson unit, submitted by McLagan Investments Ltd, have been given the green light.

They said the appearance of the pod will be subtle against the backdrop of the Asda store, and the unit will provide additional services at the site.

A sequential assessment from Pegasus Group, on behalf of the applicant, stated the proposals will rely on existing customers who already visit the site.

It said: “The pod will offer customers the convenience of providing Timpson services within the Asda grounds.”

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)