Falkirk Council: Plans revealed for new Tesco Express in Larbert

The brand new shop will occupy two of five new units that will be built on land, at New Local Centre, Bellsdyke Road, Larbert. Members of the board were told that the new shop has a target opening date of January 2024 although that was not guaranteed.

An agent representing the supermarket said it will employ between 20 and 25 members of staff, mostly part-time, including a premises manager who has yet to be appointed. The proposed opening hours will be 6 am until 11 pm.

The car park will have 29 spaces with three accessible parking spaces and six places for cycles The store will be fully accessible and the aisles will be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. The Tesco store will share the parking with the other new units, although there was no information about the other tenants.

The board was told that Tesco has “a robust approach to training staff” and all members of staff will get induction training and then regular refresher training. Members heard that the home delivery service had not been agreed as yet but it is likely to be the ‘Whoosh’ rapid delivery service, as “that is what customers are asking for”.

Representing Tesco, solicitor Audrey Ferry added: “Tesco also strives to be part of a community so as with all other stores it will partner with groups to support them.”

She said that many local groups, including schools and scouts, have already benefited from partnership with Tesco and this would continue. Ms Ferry added: “It seems to me that this will add to the facilities available in the area – it’s a vacant site at present, it will provide a facility with parking for local people.”

There were no objections to the application. The board’s convener, Provost Robert Bissett, welcomed the application and the jobs it will bring. He said: “I’ve often wondered what was going to happen to that site and I think it will be a good addition to the area.”