ONE of East Lothian’s largest supermarkets could be set to expand.

Asda Stores Limited wants to increase the size of its Spott Road store, with more retail space and the introduction of a grocery home shopping service.

The supermarket giants opened their first store in the county in Dunbar 11 years ago, before Tranent also welcomed an Asda store in 2015.

If given the go-ahead, the Dunbar supermarket would expand to the north, towards the neighbouring garden centre.

Currently the store has a floorspace of about 3,078m2, with the “modest extension” adding 569m2 to the building, with a four-berth area for home shopping.

Proposals were submitted late last year to East Lothian Council and part of the planning application states: “The ultimate aim of the development is to stock a broader range of goods, increasing the store’s appeal to established customers.”

The extension would result in the loss of 26 parking spaces, leaving 219 at the store.

Deen Rasul, general store manager at Asda Dunbar, said: “These plans represent a significant investment into our Dunbar store and will improve the range of goods on offer and help bring Asda’s famously low prices to more people, as well as providing new job opportunities.

“We look forward to working with council officials, elected representatives and all other stakeholders as the plans progress.”

The proposals show that four vans are expected to operate from the store, with one van making four delivery trips per day and the remaining three vans doing half that.

The report with East Lothian Council notes: “This small increase in trips is likely to be offset by an associated reduction in customer vehicle trips and associated parking demands, with each delivery potentially replacing numerous customer trips to the store.”

When the supermarket was given the go-ahead by East Lothian Council in 2004, many traders predicted it would have a serious impact on town centre businesses.

Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA) plans to look at the new proposals before making any comment, with the group meeting this month.

The town’s community council has been invited to meet with Asda representatives before their next meeting, which takes place next Monday (January 21).

Pippa Swan, the group’s chairwoman, said: “I was not around when Asda first came here but I am completely aware of the sensitivities or worries that it would adversely impact business on High Street.

“Equally, they are a relatively large local employer and provide a service.

“We are going open-minded and very much welcome the opportunity to have a look at the plans.”