Start date brought forward for new Aviemore supermarket
After years waiting for Tesco to start work on a new superstore in Aviemore, the retail giant has now said the £15 million plus development will begin ahead of its latest schedule.
Last month the ‘Strathy’ revealed that Tesco would finally start building the 4,456-square-metre store in September.
The sped-up programme follows rumours circulating the strath that other supermarket chains like Lidl and Aldi were interested in opening a store in the town.
The latest news came through Badenoch and Strathspey MP and Aviemore resident Danny Alexander (Lib Dem), who promised to keep up pressure on the company.
He said: "I’m pleased to hear from Tesco that construction of the new store will begin in August.
"The upgrade to the store has been long awaited. I will be watching closely along with other members of the community to ensure that work starts and the new store is open for business at the beginning of 2015 as promised."
The announcement was warmly welcomed by Badenoch and Strathspey councillor Bill Lobban (SNP).
He said: "It’s absolutely fantastic news and the sooner they do it the better. They’ve been making a few noises about it over the last couple of months, especially when the rumours starting coming around about that a competitor’s supermarket was maybe going to open up.
"It’s really good for the town as a whole."
Aviemore Community Council chairman John Grierson was also pleased with the development.
He said: "We’ve been waiting on it for a while. They obviously had things to do for their planning conditions and that’s now out the way.
"Maybe the climate has changed and they’re looking to get ahead.
"It’s a good thing. The present Tesco isn’t fit for purpose."
A Lidl spokesperson said the company did not have any confirmed sites in Aviemore and it is not an area it was currently focussing on, but it has "not ruled out a store in this location".
