New Asco store set to open

A brand new, independent supermarket chain which aims to offer shoppers an alternative place to buy their groceries will open its first store in Warrington this Saturday (December 5th).
Asco Stores Ltd (“Asco”) will open an 11,000 sq ft supermarket in the former Woolworth’s store on Sankey Street. The ambitious company is on course to open an additional 11 stores across the North West by summer 2010. The new supermarket will be officially opened by Councillor Ian Marks, Leader of Warrington Borough Council.
The store opening has created 65 new jobs in Warrington and Asco plans to create up to 3,000 jobs within the next three years by establishing a network of 30 supermarkets across the North and North West.
Asco’s philosophy is based upon engaging with customers and offering them excellent value for money. With a strapline of ‘The Real Alternative’ the company will offer products from local suppliers and is keen to develop a strong relationship with local producers.
The Warrington store will stock up to 20,000 predominantly food and grocery products and includes a delicatessen.
Dave Laney, Managing Director of Asco Supermarket, (pictured top right) said: “Before opening in Warrington we carried out a substantial amount of research which indicated people in the town wanted something different from their grocery and food shopping. Our customers will come from every walk of life but those people who work in or visit town centres and like to shop little and often are likely to form the core of our business. We plan to offer customers an alternative when shopping for their daily essentials which will give them a refreshing and pleasant change.”
To help launch the store Asco were advised by Kevin Connors (pictured top left) from NatWest who provided banking facilities to the company. Mr Laney joined Asco eight months ago following a 30-year career with some of the largest names in the retail sector including WH Smith and Mothercare. Backed by private investors, Asco is confident of building a network of stores in the short to medium term.
Mr Laney added: “It takes a considerable effort to set a business like this up from scratch but now we are about to open in Warrington we can use this as a blueprint for future stores. We are aiming to open up to 30 stores across the North and North West within three years and I do not see any reason why we cannot achieve that. To help us to do this our culture, our working practices are easy to understand – we aim to keep things simple!
“As a result of the recession there are many retail properties in prime town centre locations that are being made available on good terms. It gives a start up business like Asco the chance to establish a foothold in this marketplace and come out the other side of this recession in a very strong position.”
The principal supplier to Asco is Blakemore Wholesale the retail distribution arm of A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd.
John Liptrot, Sales Director for Blakemore Wholesale commented: “We have been working with Asco for several months to develop the most effective retail product range and are excited by the prospect of playing a major part in establishing Asco Stores as a successful supermarket chain on the high street offering a real alternative for grocery shoppers”.
Asco’s Warrington store is located on Sankey Street and is open from 8am on Monday to Saturday and 11am on Sundays.