Wednesday 11 November 2009

Fort William in the Supermarket Spotlight

Whether to site supermarkets in or out of town looms large with some interesting 'developments' announced at Fort William recently. Not quite hot on the heels of these items in the Lochaber News on the 8th October and 15th October:

081009

"PROPOSALS for a major retail scheme, including a massive supermarket, on the outskirts of Fort William have taken a dramatic step forward."

"Edinburgh-based Oatridge Ltd, whose supermarket clients include Tesco, has concluded negotiations with landowners and other interested parties.

The company says the scheme can be delivered within two years and intends to make an announcement regarding a planning application once discussions on Highland Council's new planning blueprint for Lochaber are concluded late next month."

151009

"And a spokesman confirmed the scheme – which could be delivered within two years – will include a major supermarket operator, a number of national retailers and various public service uses."

""I know some people would see it as a threat to a waterfront but I would say that the people of Fort William and Lochaber are fed up waiting for another supermarket.

Comes this 11th October Press Release from The Highland Council web site:

Public consultation for the Fort William Waterfront Development gets underway in two weeks time, with the first formal consultation meeting being held on Thursday 26 November 2009 in the Council Chambers, Lochaber House, Fort William.

The Lochaber News had previously reported (041208)

"TULLOCH boss David Sutherland said he was confident a major supermarket retailer would be signed up to underpin the Fort William waterfront development."

"Questioners said potential out-of-town developments, such as an Aldi supermarket or Morbaine Ltd's non-food retail park, were being "chased away" in favour of a waterfront site yet to be created."

Apparently not?

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