Green light for third Tesco in Dumfries

Sep 12 2008 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Friday

A SUPERMARKET giant has been given approval to open a third store in Dumfries.

Tesco will build a 6,000-square meter store along with a petrol station and car park on its Lockerbie Road site next to the Peel Centre.

Councillors approved the plans subject to conditions at a meeting of Nithsdale area regulatory committee on Wednesday.

One of the conditions requires the UK’s largest retailer to seagull-proof the building.

The planning application was opposed by Loreburn Community Council which believes a new Tesco store would be damaging to the town centre.

At Wednesday’s meeting Provost Jack Groom argued that Dumfries did not need the third store.

He said: “Dumfries is turning into a Tesco town. In fact we should change the name of the town to Tesco Town.

“The people of Dumfries are left with no choice, there is no competition.”

However a spokesman for Tesco, insisted the three stores would benefit Dumfries. He said: “This store will create in excess of 300 jobs. We would not build another store if we had not identified a need for it.”

Council Leader Ivor Hyslop also complained about the lack of choice. He said: “It would be better for the people of Dumfries to have a choice, a Sainsbury’s, a Waitrose, an Asda, we already have Tesco stores but our hands are tied.”

Tesco also plans to spend £2million on making the building energy efficient. The retail giants already has an express store at Heathhall and a massive 85,000 square feet store at Cuckoo Bridge.

The only other major supermarket is Morrisons on Brooms Road.

What do you think? Do you think Tesco should be allowed to build another store in the town? Do you think they have enough stores already? Leave a comment and let us know.