Waitrose has sold the site of its supermarket in Helensburgh, it was confirmed today.
But the Berkshire-based company is refusing to revealed the identity of the new owners.
Aldi is understood to have no interest in the site, while a spokesperson for Sainsburys, which has previously been linked with sites in Rhu and Helensburgh, said today: “We don’t have any current plans for new stores in the Helensburgh area, though remain on the lookout for sites that best serve the needs of our customers.”
Yesterday workers were told in a meeting in the Lodge on the Loch Hotel that the store would be closed, with a new operator taking over – but not until December.
Today Waitrose confirmed that the store would close its doors for the last time at the close of business on Sunday May 3.
When the store opened in 2013 Waitrose announced that 200 jobs had been created, but this week it was said that 123 ‘partners’ would be affected.
A spokesperson said the ‘difficult decision’ had been taken to sell the lease of the Helensburgh shop and there would be a period of consultation with workers: “As part of this we will explore opportunities within the partnership for those who wish to remain with the business.
“Unfortunately we are unable to share who is acquiring the site as they have asked not to be named at this stage.”
Helensburgh is the only Waitrose site in Scotland currently facing closure, but the nearest other branches are in Milngavie and Byres Road, Glasgow – both 19 miles away from the Cardross Road site.
Waitrose & Partners regional manager Peter Ibbotson said: “The sale of our shop in Helensburgh is not something we take lightly, but we have sadly not been able to find a way to make the shop commercially sustainable in the long term.
“Our priority is our partners working there who will be fully supported throughout the process and we will identify opportunities for those wishing to remain with the business wherever possible.”
After yesterday’s shock announcement MSP Maurice Corry said he would front a campaign to save the Waitrose store in Helensburgh – more details here.
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