TRADERS in Burnside this week blamed the closure of the area’s Somerfield store for a worrying drop in trend.
The supermarket closed on February 6 and is unlikely to re-open as a Tesco until the early summer.
Shop owners say the temporary loss of the supermarket has hit their businesses, and there’s fears that the town could became a “ghost-town” in the run-up to the opening of the new Tesco.
The Reformer understands that the owners of the site are not handing over the keys to the supermarket site in Stonelaw Road to Tesco until April 1.
Tesco aim to completely revamp the building, which means a lengthy delay until the shop is back open serving the normally-busy Burnside community.
One trader said: “You’d get people coming to Burnside to go to Somerfield, then going across the road to the shops to get the rest of their messages.
“Without the store, we’re all suffering. Burnside could become a ghost-town for the next few months.”
Last week, more than 70 residents of the area gathered to hear about Tesco’s plans. It was during the meeting the delay was revealed.
Burnside Community Council convened the meeting in the Burnside Hotel, attended by Tesco corporate affairs manager Douglas Wilson.
Mr Wilson outlined Tesco's intentions to replace the existing store with a Tesco superstore, providing fresh food and a wide range of grocery products.
Community council secretary Malcolm Piggot said: “The store will operate within the existing building when suitably renovated.
“The store will reopen no later than the beginning of June, although an earlier opening is possible.”
The Reformer understands that Tesco are applying for an early access licence, which would enable them to start work sooner rather than later, with the potential of reopening before June.
UNHAPPY
Burnside residents are unhappy with the delay.
Anna Crabb was shocked at the proposed time scale.
She said: “I find it astonishing that a retail giant like Tesco can’t have a store changeover done in around six weeks. For lots of locals this whole business is a disgrace.”
Lissa James added: “Three months is far too long for this store to open. I am lucky I have a car and am now going to East Kilbride - I really thought Tesco would have been up and running in around six weeks.”
Burnside woman Ann McLaughlin said: “Surely a major supermarket chain like Tesco could have done this work in around eight weeks? The longer the store lies empty, the more a target for vandals it becomes.”
Robert Hannah added: “This three months time scale is a piece of nonsense - it was already a good running store, so why the delay? Tesco have a captive market here in Burnside, and I would have thought they would have it operational in weeks, not months.”
STAFF
Meanwhile, staff from the old Somerfield have been taken on by Tesco, and are currently working in other Tesco stores in the area, as well as undergoing their new employers’ training programme.
Residents who attended the meeting raised a number of issues which Tesco’s Mr Wilson noted.
They included queries about the anticipated increase in traffic congestion and the future management of the car park were also raised.
Mr Wilson said Tesco were committed to a major investment in the Burnside store and they wished to listen to residents views and learn the lessons that would ensure the new store was successful.
He added: “We were delighted to have had the opportunity to outline our proposals for the store conversion to the members of the public who attended the meeting. There was a great turn-out.
“Some of the issues raised to do with the car park and immediate neighbours are unfortunately historic issues that we have now inherited.”
ISSUES
The community council will convene a follow-up meeting on April 7 - again at 7.30pm in the Burnside Hotel - at which Mr Wilson will report back on the issues raised.
Mr Wilson added: “The feedback has gone to our development team for consideration and we are looking forward to updating the community at the next meeting on April 7.”
