Tesco sets its sites on new store in Broxburn
SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has announced plans to build a 30,000 sq ft store in Broxburn, which will create nearly 300 new jobs in the county.
If approved, the store will regenerate the old Candleworks site in the centre of the town after West Lothian Council identified it as a suitable location for a supermarket.
More than 270 new full and part-time jobs will be created at the site which will also provide a link road between the Clarkson and Greendykes Roads.
But the chain will face competition from Sainsbury's which has submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) for a similar sized store outside the town near the Glenmorangie site.
West Lothian Council owns a site adjacent to the old Candleworks and has submitted its PAN for 100 houses as part of proposals to build 2,050 homes in the Broxburn area.
Tesco says its proposals will help "serve neighbouring housing developments" and provide "essential" choice to shoppers.
No plans have been submitted to the council yet as the company is required to carry out a public consultation, with two exhibitions planned later this month – the same time as the council's for its housing application.
Sainsbury's also plans to show its proposals to the public in September.
Doug Wilson, Tesco's corporate affairs manager, said: "A new store will help attract people to Broxburn and keep people shopping in the
local area alongside delivering hundreds of local job opportunities."
Broxburn councillor and Livingston MP Graeme Morrice is against the plans for a supermarket in favour of a marina on the Union Canal, which runs nearby.
He said: "The site in question is a brownfield site which has been derelict for some time and the Union Canal goes right through it."
Both Broxburn Community Council and Broxburn and Uphall Traders' Association say they will be looking at the plans closely before commenting.
The public consultation exhibitions for Tesco and the council house plans are being held on 14 September in the foyer of Strathbrock Partnership Centre from 10am-4pm, and also the following day from noon-5pm and 6pm-8pm.
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Friday 18 May 2012
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