Farmfoods makes bid to open new Highgate store

FROZEN FOOD chain Farmfoods is hoping to get planning permission for a new store in Lochee.

It has been trading at the Highgate Centre since 1989, attracting about 5,000 customers each week.

Its premises are in the way of the proposed new access road which will connect the middle of Lochee High Street with Coupar Angus Road.

It is waiting to hear if the city council will allow it to build a replacement store and a second shop for another user nearby.

A Farmfoods spokesman said: “We were happy to remain within Lochee and our main objective when considering a relocation was to find a unit that had level parking next to our customer entrance so that customers could take trolleys directly to their cars.

“The proposed design provides a car park area beside the entrance to the proposed new Farmfoods unit.

“This will increase the viability of the unit and will provide an additional choice of food retailing currently not available with the Highgate.

“The proposal helps make good use of the significant investment being made by the council to improve the car park layout within the Highgate.

“Financial terms have been agreed with the council and it is proposed that Farmfoods will build two units — one for their own use and the second to be leased by the council to another retailer or similar user.”

The proposal would see enough of the Highgate redevelopment completed to allow the two shops to be built and opened.

“Financial terms have been agreed with the council...”

Farmfoods spokesman

The current Farmfoods shop would then close and be demolished.

In a separate planning application, the owners of the Stack Leisure Park in Lochee are asking to for a change to its existing consent for the redevelopment of the former Megabowl.

TJ Morris already plans to use the western part of the building for one of their own Home Bargains stores, with an 18,000 sq ft unit in the eastern half being made available to another retailer. It is asking the council to remove a condition that prevents food from being sold from this unit, arguing this will complement rather than conflict with the existing shops in nearby High Street.