Anger at plans to axe popular grocery store

Sep 10 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FAMILIES in Strutherhill were angry this week at the prospect of being left without a shop for up to two years.

South Lanarkshire Council plan to demolish rundown shops at Patchy Park as part of a £15m area regeneration.

The Advertiser understands proposals to build three new retail units – a convenience store, takeaway and hair salon – will be lodged with the council’s planning department in the next few weeks. As part of the proposals, over 20 new houses for rent will be built beside the shops.

It is believed the developers are in talks with retailers such as Spar or Londis about running a new shop there.

However, tenants are angry they are being left without vital shopping facilities in the housing estate while new shops are built. And they are also concerned the existing well-used grocery shop in Patchy Park could close at the end of the month when the lease expires.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said the lease is unlikely to be renewed and the local authority will take over ownership of the shop on Wednesday, September 30.

Bob Murray, chairman of Strutherhill Tenants and Residents Association, stormed out of last Thursday’s Neighbourhood management board meeting in protest over the shop being bulldozed before new facilities are in place.

Mr Murray told the Advertiser closing the shop would be a huge blow. He continued: “I walked out of the meeting because I found out that Strutherhill is going to be left without a store. I am disgusted that they are going to bulldoze the existing store before a new one is built.

“Our public hall in Riverside Road has closed and now the shop. We feel no-one is listening to the people in the community.

“How is this development being financed?”

Another resident added: “Where are people going to buy bread and milk?

“There are a lot of old folk and mums with babies who don’t have a car and can’t get down to the main street. What are they supposed to do?”

One young mum said: “I am a single parent and depend on this shop. People aren’t happy that they are being left without a shop for at least 18 months.”

Strutherhill is listed in the worst 15 per cent of data zones in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Over the past six years, Strutherhill has undergone considerable changes with over £15m invested to provide 203 affordable low-rise homes in partnership with Clyde Valley Housing Association.

Labour councillor Jackie Burns said new shops and houses will give the area a huge boost. He said: “We want to provide better quality shopping facilities to reflect the regeneration of the area and now this is happening.

“Unfortunately, there is a gap between the existing shops being knocked down and the new ones being built.

“OAPs have free bus passes and can use the bus service to get down to the main street.

“I am aware there some elderly people, the infirm, and mums with young children who won’t be able to walk the distance to three other shops in the area. We may need to negotiate with Somerfield or the Co-op to deliver an outreach service on a subsidised basis to people in Strutherhill. We are also looking at a mobile facility and a small retail co-operative of local people to set up and provide a service to the community.”

South Lanarkshire Council’s estates committee last year gave the go-ahead to acquire the land at 11 Patchy Park from Mr Maqbool Ahmed and Mrs Rehana Ahmed at a cost of £325,000.

A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said: “We are in discussions with a developer and Clyde Valley Housing Association about a new retail and residential development at Patchy Park, the principles of which have been discussed with residents.

“We expect a planning application in the very near future that will be the subject of local consultation.

“Whilst the housing is dependant on future funding opportunities, it is hoped that the shops can be built quickly responding in particular to concerns raised locally about the quality of the existing shops.

“The lease for the existing general grocer is due to terminate in September.

“Given the condition of the building and the money that would be required to bring it up to standard it is highly unlikely that the shop will remain open.

“The tenant has been advised accordingly.

“We know there are concerns from local residents as a result of this.”

The spokesman concluded: “We are looking at what can be done to respond to these concerns until the new development is in place.”

FACING THE AXE: existing shops in Patchy Park are to be knocked down. niham030909patchypk-1