Valley supermarket set to provide 200 jobs
SUPERMARKET giant Asda is set to deliver around 200 new jobs to the Upper Swansea Valley, a councillor has said.
The positions will be at the company's new superstore in Ystalyfera.
The 3,000 square-metre store, built on the former Dewhirst factory site in Glanyrafon, Ystalyfera, will also have a petrol station.
It is due to open in late November.
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Community leaders have welcomed the news of the jobs created.
Neath Port Talbot's Ystalyfera ward councillor Alun Llewelyn said he believed there would be 200 jobs available.
He said: "It is important that local people know about the jobs available and have the opportunity to apply."
Mr Llewelyn added that he understood that the company would look to employ local people, offering a much-needed boost to an area with high unemployment.
"As part of the plans the company has committed to a local employment strategy," he said.
The site is home to the remains of what was once the world's largest ironworks.
Dyfed Archaeological Trust was called in to record the site before it was covered over to allow the development to go ahead.
Asda has, however, preserved a charging bank wall on the north-western part of the site, which it hopes will become a scheduled ancient monument, and interpretation boards are being provided to mark its industrial heritage.
Last year hundreds of local residents signed a petition calling on the remains, dubbed Ystalyfera's Pompeii, to be retained as a permanent monument as the village originally grew up around the works.
Historians said it would be a tragedy if something of such importance to Wales's industrial heritage was buried for good.
Local historian Clive Reed said at the time: "We are not against development.
"But this is not the right one if it means losing something of such historical importance. We support the development, just not the destruction of the remains."
Asda was unable to provide a detailed comment but a spokeswoman confirmed that the company was close to hiring new staff.
geraint.thomas@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514621
Comments
by Jiffy
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 10:32PM
“That Alun Llewelyn is really sharp, working out that low paid part-time jobs would be filled by local people. If he was any sharper, he'd know ASDA have already filled all the vacancies..
Unfortunately it looks like it will be the end of the line for all of the local shops and possibly the Gurnos Co-op. Wonder how many jobs will be lost when they all close, 200 or so?”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 7:36PM
“Good news for everyone except those small little shops who rip everyone off.”
by Jimmy122
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 4:46PM
“About time Tesco Pontardawe had some real competition, it may get them to buck their ideas up!!”
by Dan01
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 2:13PM
“Industrial remains don't generate jobs, but cost a small fortune to maintain.”