Dozens of jobs are at risk after Baxters, the anchor tenant of Perthshire’s Eaglesgate Retail Village, was given notice to quit ahead of a potential sale of the centre.
Soup and jam producer Baxters confirmed it had been asked to vacate its flagship store at the centre in Blackford.
The firm employs 41 full and part-time staff at the site and also provides administrative and distribution support to two other retail outlets at Ocean Terminal in Leith and at Selkirk.
Baxters warned the shops, which employ 31 people, would close if Blackford shut.
“Our landlord at Blackford requires vacant possession of the Eaglesgate Retail Village to enable a sale of the development to take place,” Baxters said.
“As this site plays a central role in the management and administration of the retail division its closure will sadly necessitate the closure of the other outlets.
“The board has evaluated various alternatives but the costs involved do not make any of them viable. Should the sale of Blackford proceed as planned we will enter a 30-day period of consultation prior to the announced closure date.
“All employees will be offered outplacement support and be made aware of any internal vacancies within the group. Redundancy would be provided to all those entitled to receive it.”