Tesco Shelves Crieff Store

Cost saving measures being employed by Tesco - will impact on Tayside and Fife. The company's confirmed it's shelving plans for a new supermarket in Crieff and scrapping the extension to its Cupar store. They're among 8 planned stores for Scotland being axed. Dave Lewis, Tesco Chief Executive Officer: “It is with a heavy heart that I am today announcing that we are unable to proceed with eight planned new store developments across Scotland. "Our performance as a business has fallen significantly short of where we would want it to be and my absolute imperative has to be to protect the future of our business for the c. 300,000 colleagues we employ in communities all over the UK.“ "I know that this news will be a real disappointment to many people and we’re extremely grateful for the support we’ve received for each of these projects. "I am very aware of the importance of these sites and I am determined that we will work closely with each local authority to find the right solutions for the local community.” Ochil and South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks gave this reaction to the development: “This is really disappointing news on a number of fronts. I am aware that the issue of a new supermarket in Crieff has divided opinion but it was my feeling from speaking to constituents that they were in favour of such a development in the town. “From a road safety aspect which is a major concern it appears that the Council were heavily committed to planning gains from Tesco to fund the necessary improvements in the road infrastructure which would have serviced the new store, but will still service the new Crieff Primary School. “Tesco have said they are determined to work closely with Perth & Kinross Council and to find the right solution for Crieff and I will be holding Tesco to this commitment, whatever it means, to ensure that the people of Crieff are not further disadvantaged by Tesco’s decision to walk away from Crieff. “Likewise I will be contacting Perth & Kinross Council to find out what their plans are and whether they can now be pressed into action that could improve road safety in Crieff."