Asda Grangemouth looks to enhance and expand its click and collect drive through facility

Asda has lodged a planning application with Falkirk Council to erect a canopy over its click and collect facility at the Dock Road premises and is also looking for permission to extend the canopy over the store’s loading bay and make alterations to the car park.

In an evidence statement attached to the application, Asda gave council planners a rundown of its Feeding the Nation Programme for 2020 to 2021 and the reasons behind its expansion plans.

It stated: “It is very encouraging the government has listened to our concerns and moved swiftly to work with local authorities to grant greater flexibility for store delivery times. We will be ensuring our stores are responding appropriately with replenished stock to serve the local community and may need to take deliveries outside of existing permitted hours.

“If this is the case, we will endeavour to keep noise to a minimum and follow best practice for our delivery management process. Flexibility of deliveries will help with the availability of products for our stores, home delivery and Click & Collect orders.

“We want to ensure our customers are able to have the items they require when shopping with us. In addition, the flexibility will also ensure items can be stocked safely on the shop floor. Additional time allows colleagues to fill the shelves or online orders prior to customers shopping in store, thereby maintaining safe distancing for both.

"Our Click & Collect business has 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 – for ease, convenience and to remain safe in their vehicle.

“We have a national programme for additional Home Shopping space to facilitate the ever-changing food-retailing requirement. Storage space for Home Delivery orders and Click & Collect operations will be further improved over the next 12 months, to ensure our customers’ needs are met across the UK.

“We would appreciate your urgent support to accommodate the measures, we as a retailer, are required to make to take account of COVID-19.”