New ASDA Store in Cornwall to use Cornish Language

This news just published by the Kernow Branch of the Celtic League:

"When Celtic League and Redruth Cornish Language Group member, student and supporter, Mark, wrote to Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart Stores in the United States several months ago, drawing Walmart’s attention to the 2002 official recognition by Westminster and Europe of the Cornish language and then the fact that the government had announced that the Cornish would be recognised as a National Minority in 2014 and asking that the corporation’s Asda Stores in Cornwall make use of the language, he wondered if a reply might ever be received.

However, several months later, a response by email was returned to Mark from Paul Rowland, Asda’s Senior Director - Superstores and Supercentres South communicating the news that for the first time in Asda's history, the store is having Cornish signage on customer entry and exit points at its new supermarket in Hayle.

Mark immediately communicated the news to his Cornish language tutor at the Redruth Cornish Language Group, Clive Baker as well as to the Cornish Branch of the Celtic League saying, ‘Since the announcements in 2002 regarding the Cornish language and then in 2014 regarding the Cornish people being officially recognised, 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. I shall be thanking both Doug McMillon, Walmart’s President in the USA and also Paul Rowland, Asda’s Senior Director.’

The Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League welcomes this news and again draws the words of Kim Conchie, Chief Executive of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce following the news of Cornish recognition, to one and all: ‘We will all display our Cornish provenance with that bit more pride from today.’"