SUPERMARKET giant Asda has been "encouraged" by the public response to a two-day exhibition it staged earlier this year on the Bishopdown residential estate.

The exhibition was held to show the public Asda's scheme to build a supermarket and offices on the site it owns off Pearce Way, near the Hampton Park roundabout.

The plan has been opposed by the Bishopdown Residents' Association and many residents, but this week a spokesman for Asda said the public response following the exhibition suggested "a great deal of support for the idea of a supermarket".

The company says that 700 people attended the exhibition and took part in two consultation exercises.

Spokesman Simon Hoare said: "Of the replies received to the question. 'In general, are you in support or opposed to a mixed development?', 873 were in support and 131 against.

"There was also a comment book in the exhibition and in this there were 34 comments in support of a supermarket and 19 against."

Mr Hoare said the Asda-owned site already had detailed planning permission for a non-food, bulky retail outlet.

He said many people had not realised this could include a carpet warehouse, a DIY superstore or an office equipment warehouse.

Mr Hoare said: "Some people saw our plans and said they preferred to have a supermarket and small office/shop development to a huge warehouse."

Mr Hoare said Asda would like to meet with the residents' association to "talk through" their opposition and see if problems could be ironed out.

"We are encouraged by the response from the public, which sends a clear message to councillors that a supermarket on the site is attracting high levels of support," he added.