We'll buy building to foil Sainsbury's plans, pledge campaigners

Published on Wednesday 22 April 2009 02:01

CAMPAIGNERS trying to block a supermarket giant from opening a store in one of Edinburgh's most affluent neighbourhoods are to try to buy the building at the centre of the row.

Community leaders and independent retailers in the Stockbridge area of the capital yesterday unveiled a bid to snap up the former Woolworths store.

Sainsbury's yesterday broke its silence over the creation of a "Keep Stockbridge Local" campaign set up to thwart the company's plans for the area.

More than 6000 people have backed a petition urging the firm to pull out of moves to open up in the area for the first time, amid claims small shops would be forced out of business.

Backers of the campaign yesterday announced they are trying to create a community development trust which would run a Woolworths-style shop on the site in Raeburn Place if it can strike a deal with the landlord.

Politicians yesterday stepped up pressure on the retail giant, claiming it was not wanted in the area. But Sainsbury's insisted its proposed new store would be a "positive addition" and help attract shoppers who travel out of the area to major supermarkets.

Tannis Dodd, who owns the long-running Herbie's delicat-essen, said: "We believe up to a dozen independent stores in Stockbridge could face closure if Sainsbury's opens here. Stockbridge is a thriving area for independent retailers but it is also well served by supermarkets.

"Our problem is that there is no legal barrier to Sainsbury's opening up in Stockbridge and it does not need planning permission from the council.

"However we are planning to create a community development trust, similar to those that have taken over some former Woolworths stores south of the border, with a view to taking control of this site. We are also hoping to win the argument that there is no need for a Sainsbury's supermarket in the area."

Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott, on a pre-Budget visit to the area yesterday, said: "New jobs and investment are obviously welcome at any time.

"But local traders are understandably concerned about the impact that a new Sainsburys could have on their businesses, particularly during a recession.

"It would be a real loss to this community if local trade was damaged by a new superstore."

But a Sainsbury's spokesman said last night: "In many areas, we tailor the offer to ensure we are sensitive to other traders and complement, rather than compete with, them. A Sainsbury's Local store would avoid the need for local shoppers to use large supermarkets nearby."