SAINSBURY'S FUEL PLANS

John Martin Fulton • Published 31 Mar 2010 12:49

Supermarket makes petrol station move

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's are set to cement their place in the town by securing the former Comet store in Ayr Road as the site for a new petrol station.

Last week the Times reported that plans to build a massive superstore at the former Wilsons Sporting Goods factory across the road from the Comet site had been given the go-ahead by councillors.

And North Ayrshire's Executive committee will this week be asked to give the go ahead to the sale of the former Comet unit for £850,000 - provided that the petrol station gets planning permission.

The sale will only go ahead if the Scottish Government agrees to ratify the planning permission for the superstore - which is built partially on council-owned land.

A number of companies bid for the Comet site, with bids ranging from £210,000 up to the £850,000 offered by Sainsbury's.

Machonochies of Kilmarnock bid £440,000 with plans to build leisure facilities on the site, while HMC Holdings Ltd offered £610,000 to create workshop units.

Broom Estates Ltd made to bids, one for £611,000 and one at £211,000.

Council finance director Alasdair Herbert said: "The proposal to accept the highest offer submitted by Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, subject to other terms and conditions to be agreed - including planning permission for a petrol station."

A decision was due to be made by councillors as we went to press.

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