Temporary closure at Asco (From Warrington Guardian)
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Supermarket closes its doors after five months
11:40am Thursday 15th April 2010 in News By Vicki Stockman
A SUPERMARKET that opened its first branch in Warrington in December has closed its doors.
Asco took over the former Woolworths site on Sankey Street and said it would offer ‘a real alternative’ to other supermarkets.
Four months later the doors have closed with signs saying the store is temporarily closed.
The business had a turbulent opening and within weeks of opening staff were laid off.
According to reports a supplier is claiming £25,620 in a winding-up order against the store for signage that has not been paid for.
Evolve Group, based in Haydock, has applied to wind up the supermarket and its petition is due to be heard in the commercial court in Liverpool in May.
Asco had said it plans to open a new branch in Formby in May and had been embroiled in a row over Lancaster Market when it was revealed Lancaster Council had offered the space to Asco over traders at the centre.
A spokesman for Asco said: “Sadly that is the case at the moment. It is a temporary situation only.”
Comments(10)
Daz@SankeyviaOrford
says...
8:09pm Thu 15 Apr 10
djhilton71
says...
9:00pm Mon 19 Apr 10
They said they had not been paid for 7 weeks.
I even saw a man outside Asco today who said he was paid by cheque to do a job for them but the cheque bounced and had to get the wages back by bailiffs.
Staying on the subject, I managed to peep through the whitewashed windows and saw some activity at the back of the store. Looks like they're removing the stock.
My heart truly goes out to these staff who rightfully believed this was a new beginning, yet have had their lives ruined.
latchford2764
says...
10:03pm Mon 19 Apr 10
whatabunchofidiots
says...
10:23pm Tue 20 Apr 10
I can't say much else except I was talking to a couple of ex-head office staff. One is owed money from January and one from Feb. Ted Ward (who set this up) has been disqualified as a director for 12 years. With the mis management here maybe Mr Laney should face the same?
keep_positive
says...
7:32am Wed 21 Apr 10
This company/owners have left many many many unpaid suppliers & staff with no intentions of re-paying any outstanding money, I was there last night as was able to see through the windows all the fridges, tills & stock have been removed which would indicate to me that this store will never re-open. My thoughts are with all the staff and suppliers -I hope that they "Ward/Laney" have a conscious and finally pay you all what you are owed.
djhilton71
says...
7:11pm Wed 21 Apr 10
keep_positive wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if the police started taking an interest in these two people now.
I agree whatabunchofidiots -Mr Laney should face the same as Mr Ward, as even though Mr Ward had "supposedly" stepped down he was firmly calling all the shots in the background with Mr Laney bowing to his needs. This company/owners have left many many many unpaid suppliers & staff with no intentions of re-paying any outstanding money, I was there last night as was able to see through the windows all the fridges, tills & stock have been removed which would indicate to me that this store will never re-open. My thoughts are with all the staff and suppliers -I hope that they "Ward/Laney" have a conscious and finally pay you all what you are owed.
keep_positive
says...
8:00pm Wed 21 Apr 10
djhilton71 wrote:Here's hoping djhilton !
keep_positive wrote: I agree whatabunchofidiots -Mr Laney should face the same as Mr Ward, as even though Mr Ward had "supposedly" stepped down he was firmly calling all the shots in the background with Mr Laney bowing to his needs. This company/owners have left many many many unpaid suppliers & staff with no intentions of re-paying any outstanding money, I was there last night as was able to see through the windows all the fridges, tills & stock have been removed which would indicate to me that this store will never re-open. My thoughts are with all the staff and suppliers -I hope that they "Ward/Laney" have a conscious and finally pay you all what you are owed.I wouldn't be surprised if the police started taking an interest in these two people now.
whatabunchofidiots
says...
12:14pm Fri 23 Apr 10
djhilton71
says...
1:38pm Tue 27 Apr 10
A handful of people were curiously looking outside the empty store. I told them this store will NEVER open, as well as how the Warrington store shut down and staff not paid.
I even saw a van at the back of Asco in Warrington taking stuff, when a man in a black car blocked the van from leaving. The car driver turned out to work for Asco and said 'they owe us our money'.
westy123 says...
4:31pm Thu 15 Apr 10