PLANS have been lodged for a new Co-op supermarket to be built at an industrial estate in Tobermory.
The proposed new store, at the Baliscate Estate, would operate alongside the shopping chain’s current store in the town, in Main Street.
But a report has said that the current store “is not sufficiently large” for the population it serves, as well as aisles being narrow.
APC Group Ltd has now applied to Argyll and Bute Council for planning permission for new premises, which it says will provide “a much more efficient and fit-for-purpose foodstore”.
The council is expected to rule on the application by early March, with the public now able to view the plans and submit feedback.
A planning statement by North Planning and Development said: “The proposed class 1A shop is to accommodate the Co-op, and this new and additional store will supplement their existing store at Main Street, Tobermory, which will remain in place and trading as a Co-op.
“The scale, nature and characteristics of the existing Co-op no longer best serve customers and the store suffers from a variety of constraints, compromising the satisfaction of customers and impacting on the efficient operation of the store.
“The existing store is not sufficiently large to serve the catchment population as well as the Co-op would like, and the seasonal nature of the location can create particular issues with gaps on shelves and stock replenishment etc.
“A new and larger store, with better storage, will allow the Co-op to provide a much more efficient and fit-for-purpose foodstore that can better serve and meet customer expectations.
“Aisles are narrow in the existing store resulting in congestion within the store. Congestion around the checkouts and aisles can result in conflict between customers waiting to be served and those manoeuvring through these areas.
“Congestion within the store makes it difficult to manoeuvre stock trolleys and cages through the aisles and shelves to replenish stock. As a result, shelves are stacked at higher levels than normally found in other Co-op stores.
“There is insufficient floorspace to display a sufficient quantity of some goods and insufficient floorspace to offer customers the desired range of goods, and a new and additional store will allow an improved range and choice of product to be made available.”
The report added: “The Co-op wish to invest in Tobermory and the Isle of Mull though the development of a new class 1A shop which better meets the expectations and demands of Co-op customers, and which will help to retain retail expenditure in Tobermory and on Mull, reduce the need for car borne trips to stores in other locations – with consequent carbon reduction benefits – and serve to help protect and increase local employment within the new Co-op store.
“Whilst the existing Co-op store in Tobermory does not best meet all of the customer demands, it is recognised that the existing premises serve an important purpose and role within the town centre, and the existing store at Main Street will therefore remain in place and trading as a Co-op alongside the new, additional and larger foodstore.”
To view plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 25/02099/PP.
