Supermarket bid faces competition

Published on Tuesday 31 August 2010 13:21

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.

But the chain will face competition from Sainsbury's, who have submitted a pre-planning application for a similar sized store on the town's outskirts near the Glenmorangie site.

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 near the site.

He said: "I think a supermarket could threaten shopping opportunities in the town centre and would like the council to be creative here rather than taking the easy way out to fill a hole with a supermarket or housing development."

The public consultation exhibitions to allow local residents to see and comment on the plans are being held on Tuesday, 14 September in the foyer of Strathbrock Partnership Centre from 10am-4pm, and the following day from noon-5pm and 6-8pm.