Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson SNP MSP for Lochaber has been in intense engagement with Tesco ever since their shock announcement on Thursday 8th Jan to cancel their new supermarket development in Fort William. He sympathises completely with the disappointment of Lochaber folk who have long awaited this essential new development.

This engagement has unfortunately confirmed that this is a final decision, but also yielded the following statement from a senior source at Tesco, “I can confirm that we are prepared to consider all reasonable offers for the property including from competitors.

Mr Thompson said, “Despite the disappointment of Tesco’s decision their willingness to sell, at a reasonable price, the land to a competitor is a modest silver lining.

“There is no doubt that the site will provide a lucrative development for such competitors who are not burdened with the financial issues that Tesco now has.

He went on, “The job now is for everyone to pull together to try to ensure the site is developed by another credible supermarket chain as soon as practically possible.

“To this end my office is already contacting other companies to draw their attention to this terrific opportunity for them.

He ended with, “My only concern with Tesco’s statement above is the word ‘reasonable’ as Tesco may seek to delay a sale by trying to make an unreasonable profit from it.

“So I ask Tesco to seek only their purchase price, or if this is not acceptable then the purchase price with only a modest rate of return to reflect the few years they have held the land.”