Sainsbury's plan 500 jobs at new Perth store

Sep 8 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

SUPER MART SET FOR CITY

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s have revealed ambitious plans to transform the former Perth Agricultural Centre into a “flagship” shopping outlet.

Describing the proposed development of the Crieff Road mart site, Paul Miller, the company’s national development surveyor, said the new 70,000 square-foot build would create over 500 jobs.

He said: “It has been a long held ambition to open a store in Perth, which is an established and continually-growing location.

“We were pleased to recently open a Sainsbury’s in Kinross, and hope to enhance our profile even further.

“The proposed store represents a significant amount of investment and we are confident that its opening will complement adjacent residential and leisure development plans.

“This will deliver significant benefits to the local economy by offering in excess of 500 jobs for local people, and working with Scottish suppliers,” he said.

If the renovation gets the go-ahead from Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department, it will be the first supermarket Sainsbury’s have opened in the Fair City.

The final livestock sale was held at the mart in July this year, bringing to an end the 150-year association the site’s previous operators, United Auctions Ltd (UA), had with Perthshire.

UA opened a new market on the outskirts of Stirling shortly after seeing a total of 599 prime sheep pass through the sale ring for the final time during an emotional day for the area’s farming community.

Sainsbury’s consolidated its position as the UK’s third largest supermarket group after securing a £83million buy-out of six Somerfield outlets earlier this year.

The group are currently involved in a long-running battle with rival operators Tesco over another proposed store in Crieff.

A three-month judicial review got underway at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in July. Sainsbury’s are challenging a decision by the local authority not to relinquish the lease on the Market Park.

Ken Ross, chairman of the Glasgow-based land and property developers Elphinstone – who own the 11-hectare Perth site and have plans for a variety of entertainment facilities within it – described the chain as a “great partner”.

He said: “In Sainsbury’s we have identified a great partner and one that is committed to enhancing the communities in which it operates – and in promoting a sustainable future.

“I am certain this proposed development will complement Elphinstone’s plans to enhance the economy of Perth, both in the creation of jobs and bringing in more retail visitors.”