The purpose built store at the old McClelland Mart site represents a £14 million investment in Ballyclare. The existing store, operated by ASDA since October 2005, will continue to serve customers until the new outlet opens.
The new store will have a selling area of 26,000 sq ft - almost double the size of the existing store. A further 40 jobs will be directly created in the Ballyclare area following the completion of building work. The construction project is being managed by local construction company Gilbert Ash.
The new Ballyclare store will allow ASDA to bring a much wider product offering in response to feedback from local shoppers. This will include George clothing and an extended non-food range. Car parking facilities will include parking spaces for 266 vehicles. There are also plans to develop a petrol filling station.
Welcoming the delivery of construction, Tom McGarry of ASDA said: "We are delighted with progress to date and are pushing hard to be open by Easter. ASDA understands the importance of this development as a potential catalyst for the future development of Ballyclare town centre and we are fully committed to playing our part in the overall regeneration of the town."