THREE major supermarket chains have lashed out at a bid to build a Morrisons nearby a historic workers institute, saying it could lead to closures of other stores.

Asda and Lidl say their already-suffering stores in the city could be hit badly by the opening of a new supermarket, part of Linc Cymru’s £50 million project around the Lysaght Institute, Lliswerry, Newport.

Tesco has also come out against it, saying it would harm the health of existing retail areas in the city.

All three firms have formally raised objections to the planning application for the store, due to be considered next month, in letters sent to Newport City Council.

Asda agent Carl Dyer said the firm’s Commercial Road store, which employs around 350 people, is trading “considerably below company averages” and its ability to absorb the impact of a much larger store is limited.

Mr Dyer said: “The Asda store is in no condition to absorb an impact of the scale proposed.”

Lidl said the impact of the Lysaghts store could be worse on its Spytty outlet than suggested by Morrisons in its planning application.

“We believe it highly likely that our store at Newport Retail Park would be forced to close,” Lidl development executive Paul Hebblethwaite wrote.

Tesco, in a similar letter, said there is no proven need for a food store at the site.

Jonathan Refoy of Asda said its letter disputes claims made by Morrisons on the need for another store.

He said: “ASDA is proud to be one of the anchor retailers in the Commercial Road District Centre and we remain committed to our continued investment in the area for many years to come.”

A Morrisons spokeswoman said it doesn’t believe this will lead to any closures of other supermarkets, while Linc Cymru’s chief executive Robert Smith said it has received a great deal of positive feedback from members of the public on the scheme.

John Palmer, the Corporation Road man who co-ordinated a 1,500-name petition against the development, said the supermarkets’ objections supports their view that the site is unsuitable.

The plans are due to be considered by Newport council’s planning committee on September 8.