Supermarket Aldi has reinforced its commitment to Angus with the promise of a July opening for its Montrose store.
The former Co-op site at Basin View is one of six stores scheduled to be opened by the company across Scotland in 2017, with a leading figure setting out the development timetable.
Aldi Scotland managing director Richard Holloway said the summer target for the Montrose outlet would place it third on the list of projects programmed for this year’s growth plans north of the border.
The company is also pressing ahead with new stores at Auldhouse retail park in Glasgow, Dumfries, Drumchapel and Oxgangs in Edinburgh.
Once complete, the new stores will bring the firm’s total number of Scottish locations to 78, employing 2,600 people.
Mr Holloway said: “We want to build on the success of 2016 by opening additional stores in new locations in Scotland and work with even more of the best Scottish producers.
“We continue to deliver the highest quality and value, and I am confident that we will strike deals with more Scottish suppliers in the coming year.
“Our growth plans for 2017 underpin Aldi’s ongoing commitment to Scotland which saw eight new stores open in 2016 and the launch of Aldi’s first Scottish Sport Fund, support which shall be renewed in the course of the year.”
Aldi’s commitment has been welcomed as a “big boost” to the town after earlier rumours that the company had dropped Montrose from its expansion plans.
The Co-op store closed in 2015 with the loss of almost 40 jobs.
The site was cleared, but a period of inactivity led to speculation that the ground was going to be used as car parking for nearby Montrose railway station.
Managing director Mr Holloway said the Aldi’s supplier arrangements with local companies include a £500,000 venison deal with Dundee-based Highland Game and a macaroni cheese deal also worth six figures to two suppliers including Forfar’s Strathmore Foods.