Asda reveals plans for £25m Northern Ireland flagship

  Asda has unveiled plans for a £25m, 55,000 sq ft flagship store at Antrim Junction One Retail Park in Antrim, Northern Ireland.   The store, which is in the final stages of planning, will be the retailer’s largest store in Northern Ireland. It will offer a range of products, including food, household, George fashion and living, electrical goods and entertainment products, and also offer 650 parking spaces.     Work is projected to start on site in August this year and is scheduled to open in 2010.   Philip Bartram, property communications manager of Asda in Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to give customers and local residents a sneak preview of how our new Antrim store will look.   “At a time of financial uncertainty, our plans represent a £25m direct investment in Antrim and will generate at least 400 new jobs for local people. We are working closely with the planning service and other agencies to bring this development forward and we are hopeful of a positive decision in the near future.”   Asda yesterday announced it is to open nine new stores and expand on 15 existing sites over the year, creating 7,000 jobs.   annabel.dixon@rbi.co.uk