Border Telegraph | News | Superstores opening boosts other shops

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 7th December, 2006 11:40

Superstores opening boosts other shops

By Border Telegraph Newsroom

BUSINESS is booming in Galashiels, despite fears that the superstores would take business away from local shops.

The arrival of Tesco and ASDA has succeeded only in bringing more custom to the area, according to the Chairman of the Chamber of Trade.

At the opening of Tesco on Monday, David Houston said: “There is room for everyone in the Borders.

“Fears that small scale retailers would really suffer are unfounded and it appears in fact the opposite is true.

“Since ASDA opened last week, the shops in Gala have been busier and Melrose businesses are also happy.”

Vice Chairman and local café owner Phil Macari added: “The good thing about the supermarkets is that they are very central, so shoppers coming from outside the town can look around the rest of Gala.

“The superstores have created 860 new car parking spaces between them and Tesco’s parking lasts three hours and that has positive implications for the rest of the town.”

Both stores have worked hard to mend the often-strained relations with local suppliers and gone out of their way to stock Borders produce.

In Tesco, a Saltire flag indicates that the product is sourced locally and the internal bakery is supplied exclusively by Gala based, Jackie Lunn.

In October, ASDA manager, Jane McDonald, told the Border Telegraph: “Stocking products supplied by local people for local people is part of our commitment to supporting our community.”

Local food and drink producers that signed up for shelf space included Traquair House Ale, Sandyknowe Yoghurt Drinks from Kelso, and Ayton-based winery Peelwalls.

Now ASDA has gone one step further and introduced a pioneering scheme that gives shoppers the chance to earn vouchers by spending money in both the supermarket and local shops.

Nine businesses have already joined ASDA’s Collect and Save scheme and the superstore are issuing a further appeal for independent traders to get involved.

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