Retail development bringing in jobs

UP to 90 new jobs will be created in Angus with the completion of a retail park on a former whisky distillery site.

The park has been built on Brechin Road, in Montrose.

National retailer Home Bargains will create the largest share of the new posts with up to 50 jobs, while coffee chain Costa Coffee will brew up 15-20 positions. Frozen food retailer Farmfoods will create 12-15 new posts.

A spokesman for developer Kilmac said: “This site has been earmarked for retail development for a number of years but has lain vacant until now.”

Development director Derek Ross added: “From the beginning we felt this proposal would promote the regeneration of land that is currently underutilised and add valuable economic benefit to the area through its construction, day-to-day operation and additional staffing requirement, all of which will create jobs locally.

“The development has ensured that retailers interested in expanding into Montrose are given the opportunity to do so. Farmfoods has enjoyed a successful opening and we look forward to seeing the balance of operators complete their fitout works, with the opening of the remainder of the development this summer.”

Grocery giant Sainsbury’s originally had plans for the site but the proposal fell through.