Do we need a new supermarket in Mid Argyll to compete with the Co-op?
The community councils in the area certainly think so.
West Loch Fyne Community Council has written to some of the major companies inviting them to consider opening in the area.
Aldi and Lidl are among the supermarkets which have been approached and urged to look for a possible site.
They have been asked, if a site were to become available in Mid Argyll, would they be willing to open a store?
Dave Wilkinson, chairman of West Loch Fyne cc, said lack of shopping options, lack of stock and high prices have been brought to their attention.
In a letter to supermarket providers, he wrote: “The virtual monopoly, lack of selection and pricing of the Co-op in the area has been of concern for some time.
“We have been in touch with all community councils and local councillors in the area trying to find a way forward.
“All three local councillors and six community councils in the Mid Argyll area have agreed their residents see this as an issue.”
WLF community council has spoken to a large number of people from Mid Argyll who say they drive to Oban or Dumbarton on a regular basis for food shopping. Or, they rely on deliveries by Tesco from Oban or Morrisons from Dumbarton.
Mr Wilkinson said: “This is fine if you can manage it, or afford it, though not arguably ideal for the environment. Nor is it helpful to the poorest or less mobile in our society, the most vulnerable.
“With the cost of living crisis hitting everyone, it is the most vulnerable who have suffered most.”
Pleading the case for Mid Argyll, and hoping to tempt companies to the area, Mr Wilkinson compares population figures with Oban.
He wrote: “we have a decent catchment and population of around 7,500 people.”
While Oban and North Lorn has around 9,500 people.
So, the population available to a Mid Argyll store is not far short of that of an Oban store.
Yet, Oban supports a full-sized Tesco, Aldi, Lidl and Marks and Spencer food store.
In Mid Argyll, there is one larger Co-op in Lochgilphead, several smaller Co-ops, including Tarbert and Inveraray, a Tesco garage store in Lochgilphead and multiple smaller stores.
Morrisons has recently taken over RS McColls shops in Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig. A Spar shop, which carries various local produce, is also based at the Riverside Filling Station in Lochgilphead.
If supermarkets are not in a position to open a new store in Mid Argyll, the letter asks them to think about running a survey to confirm if there is enough demand to consider doing so.
Andy Buntin, chairman of Lochgilphead Community Council, said: “We as a community council wrote to Lidl and Aldi before. The answer came back that they didn’t have the footfall.
“Another supermarket would be good for the area. But if you get two, you split the population and there is the fear that both could close and you’d be left with nothing.”
A spokesman for the Co-op said: “Co-op is proud to serve its rural communities and Island stores, where it prioritises deliveries due to the unique locations and stores play an active role in the heart of local community life.
"A further round of price investment in January saw 117 branded products added to the biggest ever investment in convenience pricing last year, where member prices were introduced on 175 everyday essential products - so a loaf of Co-op bread in our Lochgilphead store offers the same great value as less rural Scottish locations at just 76p for Co-op Members.”
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