A FACEBOOK campaign calling for council bosses to ‘Bring Asda To Inverclyde’ has attracted nearly a thousand sign-ups in less than a week.

People throughout the district have flocked to register their support for the online initiative — as numbers swell following coverage of the issue by the Tele.

A plethora of posts have appeared on the social network page, which was set up last Friday after we told how the supermarket giant was being linked to the former Greenock Academy site.

The web comments leave no doubt that many in Inverclyde want to see an Asda superstore and petrol station in the area to compete with dominant operator Tesco.

Jim Dooley — who set up the campaign page — said: “Bring Asda to Inverclyde! Let’s see how many people we can get on this site and try and get Inverclyde Council to do what they are paid for.” Donna Mccullagh agreed: “YES for Asda! The area needs more of a competitive market and more job prospects for our youth, not apprenticeships. Full-time plus job security is what’s needed. Inverclyde has the room, after all they build new houses all over the area, why not another supermarket plus garage. Tesco and Morrisons need stiff competition. Bring it here!” Eileen Harper wrote: “People power! Now Inverclyde is speaking. Let’s hope this campaign shows Asda and Inverclyde Council how much people do want to have an Asda in Inverclyde.” More comments flooded in after the Telegraph reported on Monday how council planners have not designated any area for major retail development as part of Inverclyde’s finalised 10-year local development plan — and are primed to oppose any move by Asda to build a large store in Greenock.

Municipal Buildings officials — who saw Asda scrap a £20m project for a site in Brougham Street last year over concerns about commercial viability — don’t believe that there is a pressing need for another superstore anywhere within Inverclyde. The local authority today declined to comment on the Facebook campaign.

But council leader Stephen McCabe has told the Tele that he would ‘welcome’ an approach from Asda.

He said: “If Asda wants to come in we will try and help them identify potential sites, and the same offer is there to any other supermarket.” Local Facebook posters are urging action from the council on Mr McCabe’s words.

Jim Gavin wrote: “Any competition is healthy competition. I thought the council were meant to encourage new businesses? Are they not meant to make the town more viable and better for their electorate?” Meanwhile, local Asda supporter Fiona McArthur, has launched a ‘Bring Asda To Inverclyde’ petition — calling for 5,000 online ‘signatures’ on the change.org website.

Asda says that it continues to ‘review options’ for Greenock.