Council chiefs call formeet with Morrisons

Council leader Rhondda Geekie fears that a recent announcement that the firm is closing 10 of its stores – with the loss of 400 jobs – could impact on their investment in East Dunbartonshire.

Morrisons currently own a store but have bought the former Bishopbriggs High School site, with a view to building a new store, linked in to the council’s Hub plans.

Councillor Geekie said: ‘‘We have been seeking clarification from Morrisons for some considerable time on what their intentions are with their proposed new store.

‘‘We need an agreement with Morrisons before we can take forward our planned Hub which will provide face to face services in the town. I was given assurance at a previous meeting with the company that they wanted to work with us but local councillors and residents are becoming impatient.

‘‘If the Morrisons business is retracting or their business model is changing for Bishopbriggs surely they have a duty to their customers and the local community to explain clearly what their intentions are.

‘‘We do not think it is unreasonable to ask Morrisons supermarket to engage as soon as possible with the council and respond responsibly to the community it serves so we can take forward a plan for the future good of the town centre.’’

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We don’t yet have a firm timetable for the new store development. We understand this might be disappointing news but want to reassure the community that Morrisons is committed to the future of the Bishopbriggs store.