Fresh food bid for Braes
The Braes shopping centre in Castlemilk is still in the running to house a new affordable supermarket.
While asset management group, Paradigm, the developer initially linked to the project, has pulled out without completing a feasibility study, local residents and businesses are not giving up the fight to get fresh produce to the area.
Maureen Cope MBE, chairwoman of Castlemilk Community and Business Association (CCBA), agrees that the area needs a supermarket.
She said: “We can get cut off in Castlemilk – not everyone has the transport to Asda at Toryglen or Tesco on Dalmarnock Road and local buses are not always reliable. When you look at areas like Drumchapel, the facilities are there.
“We are not looking to take business away from surrounding areas, in fact an affordable supermarket in Castlemilk would give everyone more choice.”
CCBA has galvanised the support of the local business community, as well as elected officials, insisting the area is in desperate need of a larger food retailer.
Maureen insists that in spite of the set back with the last developer, locals were not giving up hope.
She said: “We plan on asking Glasgow City Council to do a feasibility study on the Braes now. The council would play a major role if development goes ahead.”
She said: “We’re not giving up no matter what the council say. We want to support the Braes and the businesses already there.
“We’re still working to bring a retailer in and won’t be giving up.”
Councillor Malcolm Cunning said: “Our biggest hurdle is attracting the likes of Lidl and Aldi in.
“The only ones using Castlemilk shopping centre are often people with mobility issues who can’t get to Asda in Toryglen or Tesco in Dalmarnock.”
Councillor Margaret Morgan said companies are “flogging” houses to people who do not realise there is no facilities.
She said: “You’re saying ‘welcome to Castlemilk’ under false pretences.”