Helensburgh’s Waitrose store will close as scheduled on May 3 – despite calls for it to stay open as a vital food supplier during the coronavirus pandemic.
MP Brendan O’Hara has called for the decision to be reconsidered, while MSP Jackie urged the – still unnamed – company taking over the site to open as soon as possible, rather than waiting until December as planned.
A Waitrose spokesperson said today that the date could not be changed because of a contract with the new company.
“We are very sorry that we will be unable to postpone the closure of our Helensburgh shop beyond May during this unprecedented and extremely challenging time,” he added.
“We will still offer an online grocery service for the area after we close and our partners are working tirelessly to ensure a good supply of food for everyone.”
Mr O’Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute, said the closure should be delayed until the coronavirus outbreak was over.
“Many constituents in Helensburgh and the surrounding area have been in touch in the last few days asking me to do what I can to prevent Waitrose from closing their store in May as planned,” he said.
“I wrote to the regional manager asking him to keep the store open as a temporary measure and help see the community through this time of crisis. I was deeply disappointed to hear that they will not consider a temporary extension.
“So many people are depending on supermarkets for food and other vital supplies during the coronavirus pandemic and we do not know how long this is going to last.
“We are massively indebted to all supermarket workers just now for going above and beyond to meet unprecedented demand.
“They provide a valuable service and it is sad to see that they will also be made redundant during one of the most difficult times we have ever faced.”
Ms Baillie, the Dumbarton constituency MSP, said she had also been in touch with the retailer.
“I have been in discussion with Waitrose who have advised that they have no choice other than to close their doors in May because the business has been sold on to another retailer,” she said.
“Information given to me suggests that the new retailer had originally planned to delay opening until Christmas but I would strongly urge them to open immediately given the importance of having a large food retailer in the area and the impact that coronavirus is having on our everyday lives.”
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