CHANGES are on the way for shoppers at a busy supermarket as bosses have revealed their latest plans.
Asda has applied for planning permission to make new changes at its store at Brighton Marina.
The supermarket giant, which was purchased in February this year by the Issa brothers, wants to launch a “click and collect” service at the store.
It was revealed that stores nationwide went from delivering 450,000 shopping orders per week before the coronavirus pandemic hit to more than 700,000 within weeks.
Now bosses want to adapt the store at the marina so click and collect customers can get their shop.
The company said demand for ordering online and collecting at the store has quadrupled in the past 12 months.
Asda has put in plans for a new drive-through kiosk in its car park at the site.
It follows news that a new McDonald’s fast food restaurant is to open at the supermarket’s site at Crowhurst Road in Hollingbury next month.
Read more on this story: Revealed - when new McDonald's at Hollingbury is set to open
Now, plans for the new “shopping pod” would allow motorists to pull up in their vehicles in an area in front of the shop, and have shopping ready to be handed over.
It would include space for four vehicles to wait outside at one time, with new car park markings for “grocery collections”.
The “pod” would contain freezers and refrigerators to keep groceries and goods cool and ready for customers who have ordered online.
Asda has submitted its plan to Brighton and Hove City Council this week.
The company said: “Like most retailers, we have seen a heightened demand for products in our stores.
“To ensure our stores are able to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak as best they can, we are continuing to work closely with our suppliers and take every step possible to ensure our products are delivered and on shelves at the earliest opportunity.
“Since the pandemic began earlier this year, we expanded our capacity for home deliveries from serving 450,000 customers per week to 700,000 customers, within just a matter of weeks.
“This included providing ‘priority delivery passes’ to nearly 200k vulnerable and elderly customers, who we continue to serve.
“Additional capacity is being developed ahead of Christmas this year, which will allow us to serve 750,000 customers in December nationwide.
“We are working towards a target of serving one million customers a week in the future, to ensure our customers can stay home and be safe.
“Our click and collect business has also quadrupled in the past six months and the requirement for the expansion of our drive-thru operations is clear.
“Customers can order online and drive through our collection points without entering a store, if they wish to do so (i.e. for ease, convenience and to remain safe in their vehicle).”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel