'I could not compete with ASDA' says shop owner

The association claimed the closure could have been avoided if the planning service had not granted permission for the Asda store at Redlands.

Store owner John Murray, a member of the association, said he could not compete with the newly-opened ASDA.

“Unfortunately, I was left with little choice but to close my business as I simply could not compete on a level playing field with the out-of-town ASDA store.”

Mr Murray said traders had warned Larne council, who he claimed “strongly supported” the ASDA application, and the Planning Service that the store would take shoppers away from Larne town centre.

“And since the opening of the store in June, that it is exactly what has happened.,” he said.

“I am devastated to have to lay off all 40 of my staff but since June my shop has seen a dramatic loss of customers and I was left with little choice.”

He added:“I feel particularly let down by Larne council who supported the ASDA application. It seems they care more for the multinationals than their own local independent retailers and Larne town centre.”

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA chief executive, said: “I am absolutely appalled that this small business, that contributed so much to Larne town centre and which also hosted a counter for a local butcher, has had to close because of a bad planning decision.

“If we had a fair planning system which supports town centres then these 40 jobs would not have been lost,” he added.