Greggs lodges plan for ‘town square’ transformation

BAKERY giant Greggs has lodged a plan for a near £2 million “town square” transformation of Carnoustie’s former Kinloch Primary School site.

The high street chain has brought forward proposals for a hybrid development featuring one of its outlets alongside a new 6,000 sq/ft food store in a scheme which could deliver 50 jobs.

Greggs hopes its name will be added to the local retail offering in time for the Open Championship at Carnoustie next summer, and says the scheme could help stem the flow of shoppers from the town to other centres. The development has been brought forward in response to ideas which emerged from the Carnoustie design charrette.

The prime Links Avenue location was previously the subject of a locally led community hub plan, with hopes that it might host a town cinema.

The site has not been specifically identified for retail development in the adopted local plan, but Greggs said it was hopeful the local authority would be receptive to the idea.

An as-yet unnamed national operator is believed to be lined up for the food store unit and Greggs has cited similar developments in other parts of the country as the vision for the Angus town.

In its application statement, the firm said: “The overall principle for ‘Kinloch Square’ identified by the charrette is a well-proportioned public space funded by retail development where pedestrian uses take priority over vehicle uses.”

The firm forecasts 10 jobs will be created by the Greggs outlet and 40 through the food store development, with 46 car parking spaces allocated.