Parkhead Tesco: Shoppers blast plans to close Glasgow 'flagship' supermarket

The news that the Tesco Store in Parkhead was to close was described as a further ‘hammer blow’ for jobs in the area when the move was announced on Friday.

We reported negotiations between the retail giant and their landlords at the Forge Retail Park site had collapsed.

It is understood the store is also operating at a loss.

READ MORE: Glasgow Tesco Extra Parkhead 'set to close after landlord negotiations collapse'

East End residents set to be affected by the move have called for more to be done to protect jobs.

One woman, who has asked not to be named as her daughter works at the store, said she is ‘very unhappy.’ She said: “She’s worked there since it opened. She used to do the nightshift. She’s not happy.”

The woman said workers have been told they will be dispersed to other stores. She added: “We shop here nearly every day because we just live over the road. It’s handy for us.”

Another, who asked not to be named called for the company to move their workers to other stores across the city. She said: “I don’t want to see it shutting and I don’t want them to lose their jobs.

“It’s not that though, if they are dispersed to other shops, the workers there will lose their overtime. A lot of people rely on that.”

Others worried about the impact any possible job losses might have on the area following the announcement that the nearby Tollcross McVitie’s factory is set to close too. 

Liz Scott who is a frequent Tesco shopper said: “It’ll definitely have a big impact on the area after they’ve just said McVitie’s is closing as well.”

Liz Scott is a frequent Tesco shopper

She comes to the store at least once a week for a big shop but has noticed it is a lot quieter than the store in Shettleston. Liz also worried about what taking away the supermarket will have for the area in terms of facilities. She added: “They’re building houses everywhere in the East End but they are taking away the cheaper places for shopping.”

Shoppers like the store because it is a bit quieter and offers round the clock provision. Susan Zaccerini works in a local care home and often finishes early in the morning or late at night. She said: “I like it because you can just relax and walk about and say: this is great. You don’t need to worry about kids coming in and screaming. You can come and wonder about. You know you’re not going to be disturbed.” 

Susan Zaccerini likes the convenience the store offers.

The closure will mean Susan will have to travel a little further at the end of a long shift.

Ann-Marie Mellie will also miss the store if it closes. She uses it once or twice a week and faces a longer journey. She said: "It just means I will probably have to go up to Shettleston. There are a lot of things closing in the East End just now."

READ MORE: Parkhead Tesco: Fight is on to save Glasgow branch under threat

Yesterday, we reported that city councillors and unions will be fighting the closure which it is understood will close in July 2022. The Glasgow Times understands that Tesco will support colleagues impacted by the closure and aims to redeploy them to other stores across the city.

A Tesco spokesman said: “We have taken the difficult decision to serve notice on the lease of Glasgow Parkhead Forge Extra. We realise this will be unsettling for our colleagues and customers. We remain in conversations with the landlord to explore alternative options which will allow us to continue to serve the local community.”

Local MSP John Mason said he was ‘sorry’ to see the store closing, tweeting: Sorry to hear that Tesco Parkhead is probably closing.

"I was always surprised when Tesco opened that store when there was such a big Asda nearby. And now we have Aldi and Lidl in the market as well. However, still sorry to see any store closing with the potential loss of jobs.”