By Chris Hardy

SAINSBURY’S HAS announced plans to open its first store in Angus with the development of a 25,000 sq ft foodstore in Montrose.

The multi-million-pound development would create over 200 full and part-time jobs.

Yesterday the company confirmed details of their plans, which were reported by The Courier last week.

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held in the town hall on September 18 and 19 and the intent- ion is to apply for full planning permission in October.

If permission is granted a start on site would be made next year.

Sainsbury’s said the proposed site —on the north side of Brechin Road —was easily accessible from the surrounding area and would complement the adjacent Lidl store.

The proposals were welcomed by Angus MSP Andrew Welsh and MP Mike Weir but both warned that the planning process would have to be mindful that the last thing Montrose needed was supermarkets on the periphery of the town that would suck the life blood out of the town centre.

Sainsbury’s development surveyor Dougal Hartley said, “We believe all successful developments come about as a result of working in partnership with local residents, businesses, community groups and the local authorities.

“Sainsbury’s will begin engaging with business and community groups and will shortly publicise details of an upcoming public event which will exhibit the plans for Montrose.

“Given the value of investment we are confident that the development will deliver significant benefits to the local economy by offering over 200 jobs for local people and working with local suppliers.”

Mr Hartley said Sainsbury’s was committed to using local suppliers, currently sourcing from over 100 Scottish suppliers and selling over 1200 Scottish own label and branded products.

It has worked with over 50 new companies in the last two years— including Angus Soft Fruits Ltd of Arbroath and McIntosh of Forfar— launching over 270 new Scottish lines.

Mr Welsh has welcomed the prop- osal and the employment prospects it will provide, especially at a time of economic recession.

“Sainsbury’s bring with them a good reputation and creating employment will be crucial to maintaining the health of the local economy,” he said.

He added that he was aware of poss- ible concerns about the impact that adding to the supermarket provision of the town may have on smaller businesses.

“This will be part of the normal planning process that the proposals will have to go through,” he said.

“Money generated by a new development should increase the spending power within the community and help other parts of the local economy.”

Mr Weir said a Sainsbury’s would increase choice for local shoppers.

“The downside is the possible impact on smaller shops and there is also continuing uncertainty about the future of the large Somerfield site.

“We will have to be careful we don’t end up with supermarkets on the periphery of the town impacting on businesses in the town centre.”

A retail impact assessment— commissioned by Lidl three years ago —identified Montrose as having the lowest level of dissatisfaction with the greatest choice and range of shops of any town in Angus.