An abandoned supermarket in Glasgow’s west end is set to reopen after the Evening Times intervened.
Spar ran a store in Broomhill Shopping Centre for thirty years before Tesco took over the lease in February.
But the shop still lies empty and in September the Evening Times revealed that the retail giant had decided not to trade.
At the time Tesco came in for sharp criticism from local pensioners and the area’s MSP who urged supermarket bosses to open a shop or stop blocking competitors.
Now Tesco has agreed to hand over the lease to Co-operative after the Evening Times got in touch and the supermarket could reopen in the New Year if paperwork is rubber stamped.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We have reached a deal with the Co-operative to take over the unit. This is subject to them getting an alcohol licence and landlord consent.
“We know the local community are keen to see a new occupier as quickly as possible and we promised we would help in that process. This deal with the Co-operative fulfils that commitment.”
Glasgow Anniesland MSP Bill Kidd welcomed the development.
He said: “This is excellent news for local people in Broomhill. The loss of the daily shopping facility was widely felt here and this deal with the Co-operative will ensure older people and young families in particular will have the service they deserve.
“I want thank Tesco and the centre owners for working with the local community to return a retail grocery unit to the people of Broomhill.”
Meanwhile, the shopping centre has announced that a diner and a dental surgery are set to open at another two empty units.
Restaurant entrepreneur Farzin Miar, who is behind Bar Gumbo in Byres Road, will open American diner Po' Boyz before Christmas.
He said: “We want to bring a real helping of Southern hospitality to the neighbourhood, along with a dash of heart and soul.”
Husband and wife Angela and Gerwyn Rowlands will take over the premises formerly occupied by Betfred and open Buttercup 7 Day Dental in January or February.
Gerwyn, originally from Wales, met Glasgow-born Angela at Glasgow Dental School before graduating in 2004.
They set up their own practice in Mount Florida in 2010 and Broomhill will be their next venture.
Angela said: “We are making some big changes to fit in with the busy lifestyles of people living in the west end, including opening seven days a week.
“We're not only going to focus on high quality dentistry but also on providing an excellent patient experience.”
Broomhill Shopping Centre, which was built in the 1960s, has been managed by Douglas Dickson Property Management for the past thirty years.
It already home to national chains Boots, Greggs and Papa John's as well as local enterprises such as McMillan's Bistro and Stuart Boyd newsagents, which has recently installed a cash machine.
One of the oldest tenants is the Broomhill Laundrette and Dry Cleaners, which has been operated since the ‘80s by business team Gerry and Angela Singh.
Gerry Singh said: “Broomhill is more than just a shopping centre - it is the hub of the community. It is great to see new tenants coming in to the centre, to keep the place lively and busy. Shopkeepers and restaurateurs here are providing a terrific service, but they are also an integral part of the neighbourhood.”
Neil Livingstone, of Douglas Dickson Property Management, the agents for the centre's landlords, said: “The landlords have a long-standing policy of sourcing a good mix of tenants who will be of benefit to the community.
“In line with that objective, we have secured prestigious new occupiers for the units which have recently become available and we hope to be able to make further exciting announcements very soon.”
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