TESCO

• On the Tesco site: interpretation signposting visitors/shoppers to village centre, potentially relating to tourism as well as traders. In this regard it is noted that the community council does not consider that the proposed interpretation area noted on the Tesco planning application would be sufficient.
• In the village a contribution to the refurbishment of the “Fountain” building which we understand has now been purchased by South Lanarkshire Council. In this way it is envisaged that The Fountain could become a community hub for the village providing a range of services.
• It is understood that the Rural Development Trust (RDT) may be interested in leading such a project and could lever in £4 for every £1 of Tesco contribution.
• It is understood that there are local ambitions to begin a young person’s project thus offering a base for young people in the evenings. This project could also tie into a legal agreement requiring Tesco to set up a local employment programme for the store which Tesco has signed up to elsewhere and has been requested here by the community council.
• When Tesco representatives have contacted young families it has been strongly indicated that a family friendly café is what they would like to see and this would draw them into the village on a more regular basis.
• A community café could be incorporated as part of the Fountain.
   

In this regard, Tesco does not wish to put forward ideas that would not be welcomed or needed by the community as a whole. However, it is considered that this application provides the opportunity to deliver real and lasting change for the village centre. There is therefore the opportunity for Tesco, the council and local bodies to work together to deliver real benefits that could lead to the following:-

• The creation of a new focus in a village centre that is currently struggling to redefine itself
• Provision of additional facilities that the community is indicating that it wants/needs but which the Council may not be capable of providing on its own
• Support for community enterprises initiated by community bodies
• The potential for more visitors to be signposted and encouraged into Lesmahagow and, when they arrive, provide them with a focus/activities to become involved in/get more information from.”

2008-11-13
We have indicated informally to Tesco and to SLC Planning Dept., that in general we support the planning application due to the benefits of more jobs in the village [Tesco told us there would be 200 jobs – 60% part-time and the remainder full-time], that those villagers who use a supermarket won’t have so far to travel, and that all residents we have spoken to are in favour. However we feel that Tesco’s offer of ‘marketing space’ at the side of their store near the bus stop, and their offer to fund approximately £25k for the development of it, is not enough. We are in the process of formalising a statement to both the above parties to the effect that we’d rather see them setting up a village regeneration fund against which cash could be awarded to projects aimed at improving or regenerating the village centre.
 
Additionally we feel that agreement must be reached with those local traders who might want to display/sell their products in the store. We’ve also indicated it would be good if Tesco could commit to a certain % of employees to be local.
 
Tesco have submitted a plan for a 25,000 sq.ft. store on the ground currently owned by the Truckstop. (Full LCC Statement)