Upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose offered a much-needed boost to Glasgow's economy yesterday, giving the strongest indication yet that its plans to expand in Scotland remained very much on track despite the downturn.
Upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose offered a much-needed boost to Glasgow's economy yesterday, giving the strongest indication yet that its plans to expand in Scotland remained very much on track despite the downturn.
Waitrose, part of the John Lewis Partnership (JLP), told The Herald it wanted to open in the city "as soon as possible" and had already identified a site although the firm would not confirm the exact location.
A site currently occupied by Somerfield at the top of Byres Road, in the west end, remains the most likely spot for the chain to extend its Scottish presence. No date has been given for when the store will open, but a spokesman for the company said talks were "ongoing". He added: "We are keen to get this matter tied up quickly so we can open our first store in Glasgow as soon as possible."
It comes one the day London- based department store Selfridges admitted it had no plans to open a branch in Glasgow, despite owning 90% of a prime site in the Merchant City for more than six years.
Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, described Waitrose's plan to move into the already competitive Glasgow food market as "fantastic news". Marks & Spencer Simply Food has a branch just off Byres Road, only a few hundred metres from where the new store is expected to open.
Ms Moriarty added: "Given the current economic climate, the new jobs and wider economic opportunities provided by the store would be a glimmer of light in what has, and continues to be, the most difficult of times for retailers.
"Waitrose is a respected food retailer that focuses on local produce, so this is also good for Scottish suppliers."
An industry insider added that JLP had long been looking for ways to expand its presence in Glasgow and was keen to open a string of Waitrose stores throughout Scotland.
Waitrose opened its first Scottish branches in Edinburgh in 2006, in Comely Bank and Morningside. Both have been extremely successful.
As well as a full range of brand-name goods, Waitrose also offers upmarket fresh food and ready meals. Its store in Canary Wharf, London, has a champagne and oyster bar.
"The Waitrose brand is one of the strongest in food retail with a big reputation at the upper end of the market," said Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Richard Cairns. "This would be quite a coup for Glasgow and to have them come here is continuing proof of the attraction of the city as a retail location. It will also send out a message to other major retailers that Glasgow is the place to be. I'm sure the store will be a must for local shoppers and retail tourists alike, and it will be very welcome."
Councillor George Ryan, executive member for development and regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said he had been aware of Waitrose's interest in Glasgow for some time, and was keen to see plans progress. "We would certainly welcome their entry into Glasgow's successful retail market," he said. "Such a move from a high-quality group would present greater variety and choice to those who shop in Glasgow, and would absolutely be good news for the city's economy."
Glasgow MSP Bill Aitken, added: "Thank goodness for a bit of good news at last. This store will provide jobs and give shoppers in Glasgow a wider choice. More importantly, however, it is a vote of confidence in Glasgow."
Selfridges first announced plans for a £90m flagship store on the site of the former Goldbergs in the Merchant City in October 2002, saying 1000 jobs would be created. In 2007 and 2008, reports suggested it was on the brink of submitting a detailed planning application to Glasgow City Council and had appointed a new architect to lead the design of the 200,000sq ft site, which has become run down.
Repeated attempts by council leaders to persuade the company to progress the plan failed, and a spokeswoman for Selfridges said an announcement was "not imminent".
