11:40am Thursday 2nd July 2009
An exclusive sneak preview of the eagerly anticipated Asda superstore in Keighley has revealed a 24-hour world of innovative self-scan checkouts and in-store catalogue order services.
The countdown is on for the opening of the £25 million-plus store in less than a fortnight’s time.
But before Asda Keighley officially opens the floodgates to customers on Monday, July 13, the Keighley News was given a first glimpse of the finished article along with Keighley town councillors, representatives from the Bradford Street mosque and the chairman of the Ittehaad Community Association, Mohammed Saleem.
Senior store manager Karl Brown showed the entourage four self-scanning machines with a conveyor belt and an in-store catalogue order service, both of which he said were “a first” for any Asda store.
Customers will be able to order household items, furniture and other goods from the Asda Direct catalogue, in-store or at home and have them two to three days later.
He said Asda would be the first supermarket in the area to offer halal baby food in its café and sell halal meat on its shelves.
The building also has male and female showers and cycle storage to encourage its 300-plus staff — many of them from the town — to live a healthy lifestyle and walk, run or cycle to and from work.
Mr Brown, who has also worked in Asda stores in Wakefield and Accrington, said: “We have employed 320 mainly part-time staff to offer more employment.
“I think the challenge is about getting 300 people from different backgrounds in Keighley to live the Asda values and offer the level of service that customers expect.
“The reason we are here is because within a 20-minute drive from this location, Asda is not represented and the demographics within that 20-minute drive meet with the typical Asda shopper. Everybody that I have spoken to is really positive towards Asda. We have met representatives from the mosque opposite and made links with the schools and community in the area.”
Former Keighley mayor Councillor Amjad Zaman said he was impressed with the new store.
He said: “I am absolutely amazed with the layout and with the belted self-scan machines especially. I think Asda has done a really good job.
“It is an excellent opportunity for Keighley to have an Asda, near the new college and the new mosque — it is going to revitalise the area and hopefully improve our economy, especially in these difficult times.
“Not everyone works nine-to-five and I think the 24-hour service is definitely a plus point.”
Maboob Alam, general secretary of the Muslim Association, said he was pleased to have the superstore opposite the Bradford Street mosque.
He said: “It makes the area look a lot better. The mosque is delighted with it.”