Cornishman

Hayle Asda will be first store in UK without distinctive green signs Cornishman Asda in Hayle will be the first store in the country not to have its familiar green signage. The retailer has confirmed it will not pursue an application for illuminated green Asda signs-synonymous with the brand- on the South Quay site after concerns ...

Hayle Asda will be first store in UK without distinctive green signs

An impression of how the new sign could look at Asda in Hayle.

ASDA in Hayle will be the first store in the country which will not have its familiar green signage.

The retailer has confirmed it will not pursue an application for green Asda signs on the South Quay site after Hayle Town Council raised concerns over the size and illumination of the letters.

Instead it has opted for stainless steel signs which will have silhouette white back lighting at night.

Hayle councillors objected to a recent change in the plans submitted by the supermarket and argued the town council has a policy of restricting illuminated lights from the harbour area which is part of the Cornwall Mining World Heritage site.

An Asda spokesman said it has worked closely with the town council and Cornwall Council to deliver signage which reflects the World Heritage status and the bespoke design of the building.

Mayor of Hayle, Graham Coad, said the town council is pleased that Asda took on board the objections raised.

He added: "They have also reduced some of the signage around the store and are in negotiations with Cornwall Council to collaborate on heritage interpretation material in and around the store. Asda is making an extra effort to make sure that the South Quay supermarket is unique in the UK."

The design of the signs has to be confirmed by Cornwall Council.

In another first for the supermarket, it has been announced that the South Quay store will have signs in both English and Cornish when it opens at the end of the year, making it the only one in the company's history to have signs in both languages.

The move comes after Celtic League member Mark Lewis wrote to the president and chief executive officer of Walmart Stores, Doug McMillon, asking for the language to be recognised at the new store.

Unsure if he would get a response, Mr Lewis drew Mr McMillon's attention to the 2002 recognition of the language by Westminster and Europe and the new National Minority status granted this year.

Several months later, Paul Rowland, Asda's senior director, confirmed that for the first time the Hayle store will have Cornish signage on customer entry and exit points.

Mr Lewis said: "Those passionate about the language and culture should make their feelings known to the big corporations.

"Go straight to the top and write, email or even leave suggestions in the boxes in the stores and ask for a reply. If dual language signage is good for Wales, it's good for Cornwall."