Community councillors in Largs anticipate development at the vacant M&Co site and the Marks and Spencer foodhall site.
Jim Phillips, chairman of the community council, expressed optimism that the vacant M&Co building would not remain vacant for long.
As was recently reported by the News, there is a ‘tug of war’ for the building, with Marks and Spencer being urged to move in to complement their foodhall plans elsewhere in the city.
Optimistic about the future of Retail
At the meeting, it was indicated that Morrisons had owned the M&Co building since the town’s Safeway days in the 1990s – before it became Mackays and then M&Co – and that no other food retailer would acquire it.
Ian Murdoch, an independent councillor, informed the meeting that, contrary to his understanding, M&Co now owns the building and car park behind it, which is operated by a third-party parking operator.
People have always believed that M&Co had a long-term lease on the building from Morrisons, but I understand that this is not the case and that M&Co owns the store and the parking lot.
“As far as I am concerned, anyone can apply to take over these buildings, as none of the mentioned restrictions apply.”
Jim, the chairman, told the meeting that he hoped the long-awaited Marks and Spencer foodhall building would make further progress now that Pearsons Garage has been cordoned off and work appears to be taking place at the yard.
Jim stated, “A significant amount of metal fencing has been erected, and hopefully things are about to get rolling there.”
The Pearsons garage will be demolished after they relocated to Wemyss Bay in August, and Marks and Spencer will construct a foodhall and parking in its place. It is anticipated that up to fifty positions will be created, with the opening scheduled for 2023.