The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Retailer in station plan failed check by council
EXCLUSIVE: Store chain critical of level of engagement by local authority
A convenience store chain that hoped to trade from Dundee Railway Station failed a financial due diligence check by Dundee City Council, The Courier can reveal.
Eros Retail Ltd, which trades as Greens, planned to invest £350,000 in establishing a shop at the upgraded station.
The firm yesterday said it would “no longer be progressing” with the plans, which would have created 30 jobs, as it criticised the council’s engagement.
However, The Courier understands the firm was told by the council it was not welcome as a tenant.
Eros Retail was informed its format and vision for the site was welcome but the firm had failed the council’s financial due diligence check on prospective tenants.
In a statement yesterday the Markinch-based company said its interest in the site dated back to May 2017 and it had submitted three proposals to the council.
It claimed the council had lost out on £250,000 in the rent and rates it would have paid if its initial concept for a store that could have opened two years ago had been approved.
A spokesman said: “Since then, we have met various deadlines set by the council, as well as initiating over 60 communications over the last two-anda-half years.
“Unfortunately, we simply have not seen the same level of engagement from the council and are disappointed they have not entertained various requests to meet directly and get the project on track.
“It is regretful that the council are unable to support a local, independent business with an ambitious vision for both the site and the waterfront development as a whole.”
Eros Retail has shops in eight locations including two sites in Kirkcaldy and one each in Cardenden, Coaltown of Balgonie, Ellon, Leven, Markinch, and Tillicoultry.
It also operated a shop on Dundee’s Perth Road before Sainsbury’s moved into the premises last year.
Eros said the company’s spending into the city’s economy could have reached more than £1 million if the refit costs, wages and suppliers were added.
The firm added: “With much of our team having spent a significant amount of their lives in Dundee, we have always had and will continue to have an extremely close connection with the city.
“However, for the foreseeable future, and with the current policies of the council, we will have to continue our growth elsewhere and for now it appears our valued customers will only be able to visit their local Greens in either Fife or Aberdeenshire.”
Scotrail runs the lower platform level of the station, while Dundee City Council is responsible for the upper concourse.
Eros was eager to take over one of the three empty ground level units being marketed by the council.
A spokesperson for the local authority said council officers “and our agents Ryden are continuing discussions with parties interested in becoming potential occupants of the units at the railway station”.