A NEW supermarket in Caldicot is drawing shoppers from as far away as Coleford, it has been claimed.

The town's new Asda store opened last month with hopes that it would 'regenerate' the town – although the owners of one business have said they are having to close because the supermarket has taken trade away.

Monmouthshire County Council and the Caldicot Town Team are to showcase plans that will strengthen links between the supermarket and the town centre.

The preferred proposal will be on display in the former Morgan Travel shop at 31 Newport Road in the town centre next Monday and Tuesday (November 17 and 18).

Residents, businesses and organisations are invited to comment before applications for planning consent for development are submitted.

The council's special projects manager, Colin Phillips, said: "Feedback we are receiving indicates that shoppers are returning to Caldicot and that the Asda store is attracting new interest from as far afield as Coleford.  

"But it's vital to establish effective connections to ensure new shoppers make those linked trips to the existing town centre.

"The proposal aims to reduce traffic along the link route by re-directing Waitrose car park traffic and continuing the pedestrianised surface in front of Asda in a 'shared space' arrangement that creates an attractive and accessible route, while maintaining delivery access for Newport Road shops.

"We're keen to speak to as many people as possible on both days to discuss the preferred option."

But Sharon Evans, who ran The Pantry opposite the new supermarket, said the arrival of Asda had made life more difficult for existing businesses.

She said: "To lose between 40 per cent and 70 per cent of takings doesn't make enough money to cover the rent.

"Having talked to a number of small traders in the village it appears that unless they can recover in the next few weeks we shall start seeing a number of boarded up windows and shops.

"We cannot blame Asda but we can turn to Monmouthshire County Council for the lack of research when making the initial decision to allow a large supermarket to come to Caldicot."

The council says the linkway is a priority and a key factor in creating a thriving, vibrant and economically prosperous centre which will aid the town's regeneration.  

Progress on the scheme has been held back until after Christmas, following concerns from local retailers that major disruption would provide a barrier between Asda and the town centre at a critical time.