Major step taken in bid to open new Tesco store in Irvine

A provisional premises licence has been granted for the branch in the Montgomerie Park area by North Ayrshire Council's licensing board.

The supermarket chain is set to invest around £650,000 to open the express shop within a planned 'neighbourhood centre' development.

Permission was granted by planners following an application made last year.

An online listing has since been published by estate agents DM Hall which details further plans for the centre.

It is stated that the proposed Tesco store would "anchor" the development which would provide services to the expanding residential area.

Further pre-lets are also said to have been agreed and include a pharmacy.

A further three units are understood to be available and DM Hall is now seeking notes of interest for businesses looking to take up a space.

The remaining units can be utilised for a variety of uses including retail, professional services or hot food premises with the price of this is available upon request with full listing details available online.

Audrey Junner of Hill Brown Licensing appeared at this week's licensing board meeting on behalf of PTLL, who hold Tesco licences throughout Scotland.

She said: “There have been significant developments in the area for the last nine years.

“About 1,000 homes have been built and various planning permissions granted with planning permission granted for more than 225 homes just to the north of the development in the summer.

“Access to local amenities is very limited and planning permission has been granted for a commercial neighbourhood centre as part of regeneration but for various reasons it has not started yet – much to the frustration of many residents and the council as well who own the land.

“There is a clear, identified, need for the shop as part of the planning process. The investment from Tesco is about £650,000 and they would be creating 20 to 25 jobs with three personal licence holders among them.”

Board approval was required to sell alcohol within the Tesco store with a proposed display area of 24.2 square metres.

Board member, Cllr Nairn Angus-McDonald, added: “As one of three local ward members who serve this area it is good to see a pre-emptive licence and a focused one.”

Ms Junner said the company would work closely with the new nearby Montgomerie Park Primary School as pupils are expected to use the store, especially at lunchtimes.

Cllr Angus-McDonald proposed granting the licence and it was seconded by Cllr Donald L Reid and unanimously agreed by the board.

Construction of the neighbourhood centre is currently ongoing with plans to open in the summer of 2026.