Store will ‘enhance’ town
Discounter Lidl say the new store on the site of the former Atholl House building in East Kilbride will enhance the retail offering in the town.
Last week councillors gave the green light to plans despite pleas from East Kilbride councillors Joe Fagan and Jim Wardhaugh to go against officers’recommendations.
A total of 35 new jobs will be created but traders in the Village believe the store could have a negative effect on their businesses.
The store will boast state-of-theart facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and parking for both cars and bicycles.
A Lidl spokeswoman told the News:“We are delighted to have received planning permission for a new Lidl store.
“Not only does it represent a major investment in the local area, including the creation of new jobs, we believe it will also help to enhance the existing retail offering, by serving as an anchor and generating increased footfall for all.
“We would like to thank the local community for their support and look forward to progressing with the store development.”
Meanwhile, South Lanarkshire Council have once again pointed to the independent retail study carried out on their behalf which said there would be a minimal impact on Village traders.
They also say current parking regulations are adequate – despite concerns that free parking at Lidl will drive custom away.
Pauline Elliott, head of planning and economic development, said: “This is a vacant site, central to the town, the development of which, we believe, improves the shopping choices of residents – including those without cars.
“A retail impact assessment, carried out by an independent consultant, did not identify a significant impact on the Village as result of the proposed new store, which will also create a number of new retail jobs in the area.”
The council’s head of roads and transportation services, Gordon Mackay, said:“The current parking regulations in the Village have been put in place over a number of years to meet the changing needs of those who travel to this area.
“We are satisfied the existing parking, servicing and traffic management measures continue to meet the varying requirements of those who do business in this part of East Kilbride.”