Store wars brewing as chains bid for empty Woolies site

A STORE war is brewing between rival supermarkets vying for the vacant Woolworths shop in Stockbridge.

Edinburgh-based Scotmid today said it had agreed a five-year deal with Woolies' administrator to take over the empty unit.

However, it is understood the deal has still to be approved by the building owner – leaving the door open for rival supermarket Sainsbury's.

The Evening News has learned that Tesco has also expressed interest in the site, though is not understood to have progressed as far as the other supermarkets.

Scotmid's plan is to relocate its existing shop on Hamilton Place to the former Woolworths store and convert its old premises to a Semi Chem store.

A Keep Stockbridge Local campaign was launched when Sainsbury's interest in the Woolworths site was first revealed, with residents raising concerns that a supermarket on Raeburn Place would threaten local independent food stores.

Campaigners today welcomed the Scotmid move.

Tannis Dodd, owner of Herbie's deli and a member of Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council, said: "The point is that Scotmid is already established in the community, it is a known quantity and this way means that we will not be getting yet another supermarket in Stockbridge.

"The campaign has shown that people here are interested in keeping Stockbridge local, it is something special we have here."

Stockbridge is already served by a small Scotmid and a Waitrose. The Sainsbury's store at Craigleith is just a mile away, and there is a Tesco at Broughton Road.

A petition against Sainsbury's moving into the area has attracted more than 4000 signatures.

A spokesman for Scotmid said: "We are quite clear that we have agreed a five-year deal with the administrator, with a view to agreeing something longer term.

"The strength of local feeling on this gave us the confidence to go ahead with the deal and we feel it is a good move for Stockbridge."

The Keep Stockbridge Local campaign has been investigating the idea of setting up a community trust to come up with alternative uses for the empty retail site.

The last major battle against a supermarket in Edinburgh saw the Portobello Campaign Against The Superstore campaign successfully fight plans for a supermarket to be built at the old ScottishPower HQ on Portobello High Street.

Woolworth's administrator Deloitte declined to comment on the future of the Stockbridge store.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Sainsbury's has been in discussions with the administrators and landlord of the former Woolworths store in Stockbridge.

"To date, a sale or rental agreement on the lease has not been concluded.

"We remain confident that a Sainsbury's Local would be a complimentary fit in Stockbridge and a positive addition to the area, both attracting consumers to, and retaining trade in, Stockbridge."