Supermarket giant Tesco has promised to create more than 400 jobs in Fife if its plans for a superstore in the centre of Glenrothes are preferred over Sainsbury’s.
The chain unveiled its plans at a two-day public exhibition in the Rothes Halls, giving members of the public the chance to view the proposals and discuss the company’s intentions with bosses. It is the latest salvo in what has become a head-to-head between Tesco and Sainsbury’s, in which both have designs on being part of the Kingdom Shopping Centre’s major expansion.
Sainsbury’s has been in lengthy talks with centre owners AXA/CIS but nothing formal has yet emerged opening the door for Tesco to come in with a rival bid in recent weeks. Should Tesco’s application be approved, the supermarket said up to half of the jobs created would be specifically targeted at the long-term unemployed.
Over the past 10 years Tesco has created 26 Regeneration Partnership stores and the proposed store in Glenrothes would be the first in Fife to implement the project, which has to date attracted more than 3400 long-term unemployed back to work.
Tesco corporate affairs manager Gloria Coats said the firm would work with local employment partners to provide training and support to the long-term unemployed, helping them back into the workplace and providing them with the opportunity to carve out a career in retail.
“Our Regeneration Partnership plans in Glenrothes will ensure our new workforce is wholly representative of the local community and help hundreds of local people back into employment,” she said.
Everyone who had been unemployed for more than six months would have the opportunity to apply for one of the dedicated positions, she said.
“All jobseekers will receive interview training. All successful candidates will then enter an eight-week training course, building on their confidence and life skills, with a guaranteed job on completion.”
Sainsbury’s expressed disappointment this week at the rival bid, suggesting Tesco’s interest further delayed the long-awaited project and could jeopardise the original plans. A spokesman said Sainsbury’s had been within 10 days of concluding the Kingdom Centre missives when the counter bid was announced.
However, Ms Coats insisted Tesco had long been interested in coming to Glenrothes and was within its rights to apply for consent for a store, given no deal for the site had been completed.
“Our proposals provide the Glenrothes community with more value and choice, create hundreds of local job opportunities and help regenerate the town centre by drawing people and businesses to the area. We believe Tesco is the right fit for Glenrothes and we’re committed to offering local residents the value for money and excellent choice they deserve.”
Day two of the Tesco exhibition is today from noon until 7pm. Sainsbury’s public consultation will be held from 10am to 6pm on Friday and 10am to 3pm on Saturday, again in the Rothes Halls.