Sainsbury's say they might not come to Nairn or expand at all in Scotland because of the Scottish Government's proposed Supermarket Tax. In the Courier Fergus gives his view on the situation:
"My MSP colleagues have calculated that across the UK, Sainsbury, for example, take £2.5 million per hour - which is broadly equal to their share of one year of the levy for the whole of Scotland. They make in one hour, the amount we are asking them to pay in one year. Hardly the end of the world. As the local MSP, I have supported the case for Sainsbury's to come to Nairn as I have ASDA to come to Inverness. I have worked at length behind the scenes to work towards that aim."
Read the full article here: 'Tesco Tax' will not be a burden for supermarkets
"My MSP colleagues have calculated that across the UK, Sainsbury, for example, take £2.5 million per hour - which is broadly equal to their share of one year of the levy for the whole of Scotland. They make in one hour, the amount we are asking them to pay in one year. Hardly the end of the world. As the local MSP, I have supported the case for Sainsbury's to come to Nairn as I have ASDA to come to Inverness. I have worked at length behind the scenes to work towards that aim."
Read the full article here: 'Tesco Tax' will not be a burden for supermarkets
Gurnites might have also have read the letter in the Nairnshire from Susie Alexander in which she attacks plans for Sainsbury's to come to Nairn and supermarkets in general for the damage she feels they do to town centres. She States:
"It is reported that Sainsbury's had "incredible support form the whole community". This statement is neither credible nor true and far from being a"absolutely devastated" if the superstore does not go ahead I, as one of a significant minority would welcome it."
This observer would contend that a generous estimate might be that Susie is in a minority of 10%. Sainsbury's does have incredible support and if they come to Nairn they would deliver us a supermarket fit for the new millennium, bring badly needed jobs and give people an alternative to driving to Forres, Inverness or Elgin in search of what other communities take for granted. I remember from the public inquiry that it was suggested around 80% of this communitie's weekly shop happens out of town. There's plenty more that can be said about the benefits of a supermarket at Balmakeith but that debate was had and won with "incredible support" about two years ago and we are still waiting.
Susie's letter is on page 6 of this week's Nairnshire.
"It is reported that Sainsbury's had "incredible support form the whole community". This statement is neither credible nor true and far from being a"absolutely devastated" if the superstore does not go ahead I, as one of a significant minority would welcome it."
This observer would contend that a generous estimate might be that Susie is in a minority of 10%. Sainsbury's does have incredible support and if they come to Nairn they would deliver us a supermarket fit for the new millennium, bring badly needed jobs and give people an alternative to driving to Forres, Inverness or Elgin in search of what other communities take for granted. I remember from the public inquiry that it was suggested around 80% of this communitie's weekly shop happens out of town. There's plenty more that can be said about the benefits of a supermarket at Balmakeith but that debate was had and won with "incredible support" about two years ago and we are still waiting.
Susie's letter is on page 6 of this week's Nairnshire.