Stirling Observer

Opening date for store hit by protest

- Kaiya Marjoriban­ks

Doune’s controvers­ial Coop store, built at a cost of £553,000, is to open on November 23.

More than 350 objections were submitted to Stirling Council planners when the company first proposed to demolish derelict garages and replace them with the new store in Castlehill Court.

Parking and road safety issues had been the main concerns of objectors, some of whom even staged a protest at the site.

Planning permission for the Co-op Food store was rejected by the council’s planning panel last year but approved after developers appealed to the Scottish Government.

Agents for the Co-op had told the panel: “This is a wellknown operator with an excellent reputation across the UK. This is a much-needed convenienc­e offering for Doune.

“The Co-op has taken a lease on this site of 15 years so is making a real commitment to the village, with investment and between 16 to 26 local jobs.

“At the moment it is impossible to buy a pint of milk in Doune after 8pm and there is nowhere to do a full shop that is more convenient, particular­ly for elderly people.

“There is nothing to suggest the Co-op is an irrespons- ible operator. In fact to the contrary.”

More recently there have been concerns about the noise which may be generated by the site and councillor­s are due to make a site visit relating to a separate planning applicatio­n for external plant equipment.

The Co-op is also set to open a new £503,000 store on the site of the former village social club at The Brae, Cambusbarr­on, on November 30, creating 15 jobs.

The 2000 sq ft store will have a bakery and locally sourced products.

Co-op’s Ian Mason said: “We’re looking forward to opening a new store in Cambusbarr­on.

“The new store will also bring a funding boost for community groups through our recently launched Membership Scheme.

“Members receive a 5 per cent reward on purchases of own-branded products and services, with a further 1 per cent going directly to local causes to make a difference in the community.”

Groups currently being supported by the local community fund include the 88th Braehead Scout Group, Heart to Heart and the Stirling branch of the National Ankylosing Spondyliti­s Society.

Students who hold an NUS Extra card can get a 10 per cent discount off their groceries at the store.

The company’s said: “We’re committed to finding great locations for our new stores.

“We know people want to be able to buy high-quality food near to where they live and work, in handy-sized shops that are open at convenient times.

“We opened 100 new stores last year and will open another 100 again this year and are always on the lookout for new sites where we can be at the heart of local life.”

We opened 100 new stores last year and will open another 100 again this year

 ??  ?? Making a stand A protest against the store in 2016
Making a stand A protest against the store in 2016

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