PLANS to attract supermarket shoppers into a nearby town centre looked set to be approved this week.

The 'linkage' scheme between Caldicot town centre and the new Asda store was due to go before Monmouthshire planners yesterday (Tuesday).

The works, which will be funded with a contribution by Asda, include resurfacing the footpath into the town centre, new trees, bollards to separate pedestrians from vehicles, upgrading the path between the one stop shop and The Cross with tinted asphalt, two metal seats and a new sign.

The existing Waitrose car park is to be altered to provide an in-out access arrangement off Woodstock Way with part of the existing car park and adjacent service road being used to provide a new pedestrian walkway.

The aim of the improvements is to encourage shoppers from Asda in Woodstock Way to make the short journey to the traditional town centre in nearby Newport Road.

Asda has also agreed to provide £5,000 for a new town centre map which will be located at the supermarket in a deal negotiated with Caldicot Town Team.

The map, which will list every single business in the town centre,  will help new visitors to the supermarket to find out which stores are in the town centre.

There is a map in the town centre which was created by Sedbury-based artist Keith Underwood some 20 years ago and is now out-of-date.

Doug Wilson, Asda's head of UK property communications legal said  "We are delighted with the welcome we have had since coming to Caldicot and are keen to continue our work with the Town Team to support the great work they are doing."

If the cost of designing and installing the map comes to less than £5,000 any money left over will be kept for maintenance and making changes required in the future.