Asda HQ "to stay in Leeds"

Asda's headquarters will remain in Leeds - if the proposed £10bn tie-up with rival Sainsbury's is approved.

That's according to Leeds City Council today who say they've spoken to bosses at the chain and had assurances that with the two supermarket brands operating independently in the new company it'll be business as usual for their operations here.

Council Leader Judith Blake said, "We’ve met company leaders from Asda and received strong reassurances from them that they are committed to Leeds and that their intention is to retain their headquarters in the city, operating with their own CEO as a brand distinct from Sainsbury’s.

"Asda has long been an important part of the Leeds landscape as one of the city’s biggest employers. We have always worked closely with them to build on that and that won’t change over the next couple of years as the merger progresses. As a council we have strong relationships with all major local employers and do everything we can to support their presence in the city with the jobs and benefits to the local economy this provides."

• asda
• Sainsbury's
• Supermarket
• Merger
• leeds
• judith blake