M&S OUTLET AT WESTHILL COULD BE DOUBLED IN SIZE BY CHRISTMAS 2009 IF DISCUSSIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL
Proposals afoot for the extension of popular store
Published:
Shoppers at Westhill could have double the choice of quality food and drink after it emerged plans are being discussed to extend a popular store.
Retail giant Marks & Spencer opened its 11,500sq ft Simply Food store only last March, but it could more than double in size by Christmas 2009 if discussions prove successful. Edinburgh developer Gladedale Capital is in talks about extending the floor space to cover an area of 24,000sq ft. The expansion would be linked to current proposals for the revamp of Westhill Shopping Centre, which Westhill and Elrick Community Council withdrew support for in February after it emerged that developers offered a local vet practice “unsuitable” accommodation.
Community council chairman Stewart Whyte revealed the latest news about the proposed development at a recent group meeting. He said: “Gladedale is meeting with tenants to update them on its plans for the redevelopment of the shopping centre.
“It is held up because Marks & Spencer is going to double its store, which is fantastic for the area. It is putting in a new application and hopes it can be approved by August, to start building in September.”
Marks & Spencer was unable to comment on the proposal.
A spokeswoman for Gladedale confirmed the company is in negotiations, but was unable to give any more detail on the plans.
Gladedale Capital lodged a planning application to double the shopping centre’s size in a £25million development in February. If successful, the Old Skene Road centre would expand by 32,000sq ft, creating two new shopping wings. A new car park with 300 spaces and a bus layby on the site are also proposed.
