Sainsbury’s move to reassure Perth folk

Oct 28 2011 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s is to re-examine the layout for its store development plans on the edge of Perth after consulting residents.

Following a meeting two weeks ago where the company unveiled its updated proposals for a large supermarket just off the A85, bosses say they are looking again at the options for its fuel filling station location.

The company moved to clear up “misunderstandings” about the size of the development at East Huntingtowerfield.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said it had received a “variety of comments” from the 30 people who attended the meeting.

They added: “Sainsbury’s has worked very hard over the last 12 months to address matters raised in connection with possible impacts on the roads surrounding the store, and were pleased the revised plans have achieved approval in principle from Transport Scotland.

“This is a major step forward and has allowed Sainsbury’s to move our application closer to a determination by Perth and Kinross Council.”

But one matter that was highlighted again during the meeting was the positioning of the petrol station on the site.

Sainsbury’s said it has listened to this feedback and undertaken to consider this aspect of the proposal.

Paul Miller, the firm’s national development surveyor, said: “We are pleased with the revisions we have made to our proposals for a store in Perth, and our meeting was a good opportunity to hear the views of local people.

“The views shared during our meeting were very constructive, and we will take on board and deal with the matters raised.

“Our store in Kinross demonstrates we have a strong record of working in partnership with local communities and we are confident we can repeat this in Perth.”

One of those who attended the meeting was MP Pete Wishart, who said yesterday: “I am pleased that I was able to attend the public meeting that Sainsbury’s arranged to discuss the detail of their proposals for a large new supermarket in Perth.

“It was a useful opportunity for Sainsbury’s – and for me - to hear the views of local folk and I think it was a productive meeting.

“Clearly there are a good many folk with a variety of concerns about the plans. It was encouraging to me to see that Sainsbury’s are prepared to engage positively with local people.”

Sainbury’s also moved to set the record straight on the size of the store, saying it will not be 2.5 times bigger than the Tesco on Crieff Road – it will be less than a fifth bigger, with 10,000 sq ft more net floor space.

The Sainsbury’s store will have approximately 600 parking spaces, not the 1000 stated, while a third of jobs on offer will be full-time and two-thirds of the positions will be part-time.

Sainsbury’s said this reflects “the diverse requirements” of staff. The proposals and up-to-date information is viewable online at www.sainsburys-perth.co.uk and twitter account @SainsburysPerth.