Supermarket chain Tesco has announced its part in a development initiative in Inverness, where it will share space on one of its sites with the garden centre chain Dobbies. The building of a Dobbies store at the site, which is located at Inshes Retail Park close to the city’s hospital, would be expected to result in the creation of around 120 jobs at the garden centre.
The proposal, which involves a £5 million investment in revamping and improving the site, has been presented to Highland Council’s planning department for consideration. The plans would focus on redeveloping two retail units next to Tesco, which have been empty since the departure of DIY stores Great Mills and Focus and toy store Jolly Giant.
If the local authority gives the go ahead on the plan, the move would mean the first joint initiative in Scotland for the two companies. They are also working on a similar shared project at a similar type of location in King’s Lynn in Norfolk.
Tesco has been in the Inverness retail park since 2000, when it moved into a unit previously occupied by the Co-operative supermarket chain.