Tesco 'committed' after town regeneration fears

Published 18 Feb 2010 09:25 9 Comments

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GHOST TOWN: Linwood Shopping Centre

By Jennifer Black

TESCO has renewed its commitment to Linwood after rumours circulated they could be about to pull out of the development.

Concerns were raised within the community at the lack of work since the plans were approved in 2008.

And with the discovery of the crypt recently questions have been asked if Tesco are stalling for time over their proposed Wallneuk site in Paisley.

At the moment the company are trying to transfer their planning application from Love Street to the Wallneuk area where they hope to build a new store.

Community representatives fear if it gets the go-ahead it could mean the end for the Linwood development.

However in a statement released by Tesco, they issue guarantees they will not be pulling out.

Jennifer Duncan, Tesco's Scottish corporate affairs manager, said: "We have repeatedly said that Tesco is fully-committed at the highest level to developing Linwood town centre.

"We have confirmed our intention to develop the site in letters and emails to the local MSP and councillors, in statements to the media and verbally to members of Renfrewshire Council's planning board during a hearing into an unrelated planning application.

"The issue of our Wallneuk planning application has nothing to do with our commitment to develop Linwood.

"Whether we get permission to build at Wallneuk or we use our existing planning consent to build at Love Street has no bearing on our plans for Linwood.

"This is an authoritative and unequivocal statement of Tesco's intentions to go ahead with the Linwood development. "Anyone who suggests anything to the contrary is being mischievous, is misrepresenting the company's intentions and is doing a great disservice to the people of Linwood."

The company has explained that the discovery of the crypt has set them back, but they are applying to the Scottish courts to for permission to disinter the remains,

Jennifer added: "The crypt issue will be resolved to the wishes of the family who want the remains disinterred and work will then progress on the new Linwood town centre."

Local MSP, Wendy Alexander, knows the community are eager to see the project started.

She said: "I am certainly aware of the widespread frustration in Linwood about the delays in getting on site.

"The fears will only be quelled when the first spade goes in the ground."

Linwood Community Council are also confident about the future of the site.

Chairman Iain Wilson said: "I can understand people insisting that it won't take place.

"I can't agree with that, Tesco has assured Wendy Alexander and the community that they are determined to go ahead with both projects.

"They are assuring us that in 2011 they will be there and the project will be completed.

"Fingers crossed, the community council are still assured and still believe that the project will go ahead."

This article appeared in The Gazette 17 Feb 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Beth MacIntyre
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Feb 22, 13:22
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Im not sure about this whole thing - its sounds a bit dodgy. They said they would build a tesco ages ago and they still havnt done anything! the place is an eye-sore and if they dont do anything with it I doubt anyone else will touch it!

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mandy hewitt
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Feb 22, 13:29
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I'll believe it when i see it. they say the coffins are delyaing the development,but theres no reason they cant start demolishing some of the old buildings.

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johnnyc
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Feb 22, 13:35
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tesco have promised to go ahead,it would look bad for them if they didnt,im sure it will happen eventually its just a matter of time.

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kev
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Feb 22, 16:26
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tesco is everywhere, so i believe they'll build one in linwood even if it takes a while. we need it, or something like it. it will give us jobs and maybe a bit of hope as well. None of my pals can get work and they're all hoping that a new shop will give them a chance of a job. While we're at it, how about some more things in the town? i know we're not far from glasgow, but there are a lot of families who can't get to the town centre on the bus because they've got buggies. more shops for them, or at least a proper local food shop would be nice.

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Anon
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Feb 23, 09:08
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I hope they do build it - Tesco is taking over the world so hopefully it wont matter that they have two near each other! would help Linwood out no end!

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kim
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Feb 23, 09:14
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i wish they would just hurry up and build the stupid thing. Linwood isn't getting any better and the longer these people stand around and argue and spread rumours the longer it will be before anything happens. They should just decide if they want to build and if they do, then start building. it would save a lot of time and a lot of money and if tesco don't want to keep to their word then we should encourage another company to come in.

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john linwood
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Mar 3, 21:07
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i realy think this will ever happen it has went on to long now the village now looks like somewhere out of a war torn country surely there is no reason to start demolishing the housing and start laying the new foundations even start the new road layout just to see the bull dozers would show the people of linwood the comitment of tesco and everyone can look forward to the future

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resident
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Mar 15, 22:26
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cant see it happen

tesco is jokernwendy alexander is a jokerntime to vote her out

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fed up
Unregistered User
Apr 15, 15:09
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wendy is the biggest joker of em all

she wont get my vote

vote labour out time for a change

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