UP TO 40 new jobs could be created under plans to transform the Asda store in Weymouth.

The supermarket giant wants to increase its Newstead Road site’s sales area, offer new products and introduce a customer café.

The firm also plans to ease congestion by improving the car park and providing 150 more spaces for shoppers.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council spokesman Geoff Petherick said the news was further proof the town was ‘bucking the trend’ amidst the recession.

Asda is planning to submit the proposals to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council within the next month.

The bid includes plans for a new mezzanine level, extending the sales area by 2,400 square metres.

The increase would allow the store to offer a wider range of goods, such as Asda’s George clothing line.

A new store layout – boasting wider aisles – would be introduced alongside the customer café.

The supermarket also wants to construct a deck car park with 150 extra spaces for shoppers.

Better site access – via a Newstead Road slip road and a new exit into Marsh Road – is also in the pipeline.

Asda says the improvements will help Dorset County Council improve the road network ahead of the Olympics.

The firm had planned to relocate to a bigger site at the Wessex Stadium site in a deal with Weymouth Football Club but the scheme was rejected by planners.

Councillor Petherick, borough council economic development spokesman, welcomed the prospect of 40 new jobs.

“This is fantastic news all round,” he said. “We’re really bucking the national trend.

“There’s so much good stuff going on here, what with the Osprey Quay development as well.

“Times are still tough but this is yet more good news. It’s great they’re planning on sorting out the traffic problems as well.”

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce President Nigel Reed said: “We’re very pleased up to 40 jobs could be created.

“They will be flexible jobs too, which really suits people in Weymouth. It’s great, especially at a time when people are still losing their jobs.”

Mr Reed said he was ‘really pleased’ Asda was also trying to better the store’s traffic system.

“It’s all very well increasing store capacity, but without other improvements that could have had a knock-on effect,” he added.

“So it’s excellent they’ve addressed issues like the car park too.”

The supermarket is also proposing to enclose the delivery area at the store’s rear, to provide better noise insulation.

Asda property communications manager Chris Marlow said: “Since our store in Weymouth opened, it has become an important and established supermarket for local people.

“However, shopping needs have changed significantly and the store is in need of updating and improving.

“These proposed improvements are aimed at enhancing the store, the car park and the access arrangements.

“By looking at the whole operation of the store, we can make changes which can help reduce congestion on the local roads, so that Weymouth’s highway network is ready for the Olympics.”