Retail giant slammed
A POLITICIAN has hit out at an “extremely disappointing” decision to close a branch of Lidl after claiming she was “misled” by the supermarket giant over its intention to shut the store.
Lidl, on Grampian Way, in the Baljaffray area of Bearsden, is to shut on Wednesday, May 1.
Amy Callaghan, MP for East Dunbartonshire, said: “It’s extremely disappointing Lidl have taken the decision to close their store in Baljaffray.
“Being able to access affordable food and other goods in a local Lidl store has been an asset to the community, especially during a cost- of- living crisis.
“Lidl’s rhetoric of their Anniesland store being a convenient larger store for my constituents doesn’t wash.
“It’s not in East Dunbartonshire and, without good transport links, means people in Baljaffray and further into Bearsden will no longer be able to easily access a Lidl store.
“Worse yet, I approached Lidl in good faith to discuss the rumours around the store closing and was misled.
“Whether their misleading me was intentional is something I am seeking to clarify.”
Confirming the move to shut the store, Lidl said the decision had been taken because it was “no longer fit for purpose”.
“In the last year, we’ve opened a brand- new store in Anniesland, which is almost double the size of the Lidl on Grampian Way,
providing households in the area with an enhanced shopping experience,” a spokesperson for the retail giant said.
“With no potential to expand the Bearsden store, after 24 years it is no longer fit for purpose.”
The spokesperson added:
“The area remains on our site requirements list, and our dedicated property team is
actively looking for alternative sites. All colleagues have been offered redeployment opportunities, and in addition to our Anniesland store, customers can still access our great value products at the nearby Mill Road store in Yoker.”
Lidl has been contacted for further comment about Ms Callaghan’s claims.